Activin receptor type iia variants and methods of use thereof

ABSTRACT

The invention features polypeptides that include an extracellular ActRIIA variant. In some embodiments, a polypeptide of the invention includes an extracellular ActRIIA variant fused to an Fc domain monomer or moiety. The invention also features pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using the polypeptides to treat diseases and conditions involving low red blood cell levels, e.g., anemia or blood loss; fibrosis; or pulmonary hypertension.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fibrosis is the formation of excess connective tissue in an organ or tissue. The connective tissue, which can form in response to damage (e.g., injury) or as part of an immune response (e.g., an inflammatory response), can disrupt the structure and function of the organ or tissue in which it forms, leading to an increase in tissue stiffness. Fibrosis can occur in many organs and tissues within the body, including the lung (e.g., pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis), liver (e.g., cirrhosis), heart (e.g., endomyocardial fibrosis or fibrosis after myocardial infarction), brain (e.g., glial scar formation), skin (e.g., formation of keloids), kidney (e.g., renal fibrosis), and eye (e.g., corneal fibrosis), among others; and is known to be associated with certain medical treatments (e.g., chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery). There are limited treatment options for patients with fibrosis, and most treatments are focused on improving quality of life or temporarily slowing disease progression.

Anemia is a global health problem with health implications that affect both morbidity and mortality. In the United States alone, the prevalence of anemia nearly doubled from 2003 to 2012. Symptoms of anemia include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and reduced cognitive performance, and children, pregnant women, women of reproductive age, and the elderly have been found to have the highest risk of developing anemia. The most common form of anemia is iron deficiency anemia, but anemia can also be caused by chronic diseases, blood loss, and red blood cell destruction. While iron deficiency anemia can be treated with iron supplements, many other forms of anemia, such as aplastic anemia, anemia of chronic disease, and hemolytic anemia may require blood transfusions.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a serious condition characterized by higher than normal pressure in the blood vessels between the lungs and the heart. PH can be categorized into five major types: arterial (PAH), venous (PH secondary to left-sided heart disease), hypoxic (PH caused by lung disease), thromboembolic (PH caused by chronic arterial obstruction, e.g., blood clots), or miscellaneous (PH with unclear or multifactorial mechanisms), also known as WHO groups I-V. PAH features increased pressure in blood vessels of the lungs caused by obstruction in or narrowing of small blood vessels in the lungs due to scarring. This leads to increased resistance to blood flow through the lungs and forces the right side of the heart to work harder, which may lead to heart failure, reduced blood oxygenation, and reduced life expectancy. PAH can be idiopathic (e.g., having no identifiable cause), heritable (e.g., familial, often due to a genetic mutation), or may be related to drug use (e.g., methamphetamine or cocaine use), infection (e.g., HIV infection or schistosomiasis), cirrhosis of the liver, congenital heart abnormalities, or connective tissue/autoimmune disorders (e.g., scleroderma or lupus). Treatments for PH include vasodilators, anticoagulants, and supplemental oxygen, but these treatments manage disease symptoms rather than targeting the biological mechanisms that cause the disease.

There exists a need for novel treatments for fibrosis, anemia, and PH.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention features polypeptides that include an extracellular activin receptor type IIA (ActRIIA) variant. In some embodiments, a polypeptide of the invention includes an extracellular ActRIIA variant fused to the N- or C-terminus of an Fc domain monomer or moiety. Such moieties may be attached by amino acid or other covalent bonds and may increase stability of the polypeptide. A polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant fused to an Fc domain monomer may also form a dimer (e.g., a homodimer or heterodimer) through the interaction between two Fc domain monomers. The polypeptides of the invention may be used to reduce or prevent fibrosis, or slow or inhibit the progression of fibrosis in a subject having or at risk of developing fibrosis. The polypeptides of the invention may also be used to increase red blood cell levels (e.g., increase hemoglobin levels, increase hematocrit, and/or increase red blood cell count, e.g., increase red cell mass) or increase red blood cell formation in a subject in need thereof, e.g., a subject having or at risk of developing low red blood cell levels (e.g., low hemoglobin levels, low hematocrit, and/or low red blood cell counts, e.g., low red cell mass), e.g., anemia or blood loss. Additionally, the polypeptides of the invention may be used to treat, prevent, delay, or attenuate the development or progression of pulmonary hypertension in a subject having or at risk of developing pulmonary hypertension (e.g., arterial, venous, hypoxic, thromboembolic, or miscellaneous pulmonary hypertension). Further, the polypeptides of the invention may also be used to affect myostatin, activin, and/or bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) signaling in a subject having or at risk of developing fibrosis, low red blood cell levels (e.g., low hemoglobin levels, low hematocrit, and/or low red blood cell counts, e.g., low red cell mass), or pulmonary hypertension (e.g., arterial, venous, hypoxic, thromboembolic, or miscellaneous pulmonary hypertension).

In one aspect, the invention features a polypeptide including an extracellular activin receptor type IIA (ActRIIA) variant, the variant having a sequence of GAILGRSETQECLX₁X₂NANWX₃X₄X₅X₆TNQTGVEX₇CX₈GX₉X₁₀X₁₁X₁₂X₁₃X₁₄HCX₁₅ATWX₁₆NISGSIEIV X₁₇X₁₈GCX₁₉X₂₀X₂₁DX₂₂NCYDRTDCVEX₂₃X₂₄X₂₅X₂₆PX₂₇VYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS (SEQ ID NO: 1), wherein X₁ is F or Y; X₂ is F or Y; X₃ is E or A; X₄ is K or L; X₅ is D or E; X₆ is R or A; X₇ is P or R; X₈ is Y or E; X₉ is D or E; X₁₀ is K or Q; X₁₁ is D or A; X₁₂ is K or A; X₁₃ is R or A; X₁₄ is R or L; X₁₅ is F or Y; X₁₆ is K, R, or A; X₁₇ is K, A, Y, F, or I; X₁₈ is Q or K; X₁₉ is W or A; X₂₀ is L or A; X₂₁ is D, K, R, A, F, G, M, N, or I; X₂₂ is I, F, or A; X₂₃ is K or T; X₂₄ is K or E; X₂₅ is D or E; X₂₆ iS S or N; and X₂₇ is E or Q, and wherein the variant has at least one amino acid substitution relative to a wild-type extracellular ActRIIA having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 or an extracellular ActRIIA having any one of the sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 76-96.

In some embodiments, the variant has a sequence of GAILGRSETQECLFX₂NANWX₃X₄X₅X₆TNQTGVEX₇CX₈GX₉KX₁₁X₁₂X₁₃X₁₄HCX₁₅ATWX₁₆NISGSIEIVX₁₇ X₁₈GCX₁₉X₂₀X₂₁DX₂₂NCYDRTDCVEX₂₃X₂₄X₂₅X₂₆PX₂₇VYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS (SEQ ID NO: 2), wherein X₂, X₃, X₄, X₅, X₆, X₇, X₈, X₉, X₁₁, X₁₂, X₁₃, X₁₄, X₁₅, X₁₆, X₁₇, X₁₈, X₁₉, X₂₀, X₂₁, X₂₂, X₂₃, X₂₄, X₂₅, X₂₆, and X₂₇ are defined as above.

In some embodiments, the variant has a sequence of GAILGRSETQECLFX₂NANWEX₄X₅RTNQTGVEX₇CX₈GX₉KDKRX₁₄HCX₁₅ATWX₁₆NISGSIEIVKX₁₈GCWL DDX₂₂NCYDRTDCVEX₂₃X₂₄X₂₅X₂₆PX₂₇VYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS (SEQ ID NO: 3), wherein X₂, X₄, X₅, X₇, X₈, X₉, X₁₄, X₁₅, X₁₆, X₁₈, X₂₂, X₂₃, X₂₄, X₂₅, X₂₆, and X₂₇ are defined as above.

In some embodiments, the variant has a sequence of GAILGRSETQECLFX₂NANWEX₄DRTNQTGVEX₇CX₈GX₉KDKRX₁₄HCX₁₅ATWX¹⁶NISGSIEIVKX₁₈GCWL DDX₂₂NCYDRTDCVEX₂₃KX₂₅X₂₆PX₂₇VYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS (SEQ ID NO: 4), wherein X₂, X₄, X₇, X₈, X₉, X₁₄, X₁₅, X¹⁶, X₁₈, X₂₂, X₂₃, X₂₅, X₂₆, and X₂₇ are defined as above.

In some embodiments, the variant has a sequence of GAILGRSETQECLFX₂NANWEX₄DRTNQTGVEPCX₈GX₉KDKRXHHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKX₁₈GCWLDDI NCYDRTDCVEX₂₃KX₂₅X₂₆PX₂₇VYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS (SEQ ID NO: 5), wherein X₂, X₄, X₈, X₉, X₁₄, X₁₈, X₂₃, X₂₅, X₂₆, and X₂₇ are defined as above.

In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₁ is F or Y. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₂ is F or Y. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₃ is E or A. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₄ is K or L. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₅ is D or E. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₆ is R or A. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₇ is P or R. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₈ is Y or E. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₉ is D or E. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₁₀ is K or Q. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₁₁ is D or A. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₁₂ is K or A. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₁₃ is R or A. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₁₄ is R or L. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₁₅ is F or Y. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₁₆ is K, R, or A. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₁₇ is K, A, Y, F, or I. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₁₈ is Q or K. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₁₉ is W or A. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₂₀ is L or A. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₂₁ is D, K, R, A, F, G, M, N, or I. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₂₂ is I, F, or A. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₂₃ is K or T. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₂₄ is K or E. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₂₅ is D or E. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₂₆ is S or N. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₂₇ is E or Q. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₂₃ is T, X₂₄ is E, X₂₅ is E, and X₂₆ is N. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₂₃ is T, X₂₄ is K, X₂₅ is E, and X₂₆ is N. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, X₁₇ is K.

In any of the aforementioned embodiments, the variant has the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6-72.

In any of the aforementioned embodiments, the amino acid at position X₂₄ may be replaced with the amino acid K.

In any of the aforementioned embodiments, the amino acid at position X₂₄ may be replaced with the amino acid E.

In any of the aforementioned embodiments, a polypeptide described herein may further include a C-terminal extension of one or more amino acids (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more amino acids). In some embodiments, the C-terminal extension is amino acid sequence NP. In some embodiments, the C-terminal extension is amino acid sequence NPVTPK (SEQ ID NO: 155).

In any of the aforementioned embodiments, a polypeptide described herein may further include a moiety fused or covalently linked to the C-terminus of the polypeptide. In some embodiments, the moiety increases stability or improves the pharmacokinetics of the polypeptide. In some embodiments, the moiety is an Fc domain, an albumin-binding peptide, a fibronectin domain, or human serum albumin.

In any of the aforementioned embodiments, a polypeptide described herein may further include an Fc domain monomer fused to the C-terminus of the polypeptide by way of a linker. In some embodiments, the polypeptide that includes an extracellular ActRIIA variant described herein fused to an Fc domain monomer may form a dimer (e.g., a homodimer or heterodimer) through the interaction between two Fc domain monomers. In some embodiments, the Fc domain monomer has the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 97

In any of the aforementioned embodiments, a polypeptide described herein may further include an Fc domain fused to the C-terminus of the polypeptide by way of a linker. In some embodiments, the Fc domain is a wild-type Fc domain. In some embodiments, the wild-type Fc domain has the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 151. In some embodiments, the Fc domain contains one or more amino acid substitutions. In some embodiments, the Fc domain containing one or more amino acid substitutions does not form a dimer.

In any of the aforementioned embodiments, a polypeptide described herein may further include an albumin-binding peptide fused to the C-terminus of the polypeptide by way of a linker. In some embodiments, the albumin-binding peptide has the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 152.

In any of the aforementioned embodiments, a polypeptide described herein may further include a fibronectin domain fused to the C-terminus of the polypeptide by way of a linker. In some embodiments, the fibronectin domain peptide has the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 153.

In any of the aforementioned embodiments, a polypeptide described herein may further include a human serum albumin fused to the C-terminus of the polypeptide by way of a linker. In some embodiments, the human serum albumin has the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 154.

In some embodiments, the linker is an amino acid spacer. In some embodiments, the amino acid spacer is GGG, GGGA (SEQ ID NO: 98), GGGG (SEQ ID NO: 100), GGGAG (SEQ ID NO: 130), GGGAGG (SEQ ID NO: 131), or GGGAGGG (SEQ ID NO: 132).

In some embodiments, the amino acid spacer is GGGS (SEQ ID NO: 99), GGGGA (SEQ ID NO: 101), GGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 102), GGGGG (SEQ ID NO: 103), GGAG (SEQ ID NO: 104), GGSG (SEQ ID NO: 105), AGGG (SEQ ID NO: 106), SGGG (SEQ ID NO: 107), GAGA (SEQ ID NO: 108), GSGS (SEQ ID NO: 109), GAGAGA (SEQ ID NO: 110), GSGSGS (SEQ ID NO: 111), GAGAGAGA (SEQ ID NO: 112), GSGSGSGS (SEQ ID NO: 113), GAGAGAGAGA (SEQ ID NO: 114), GSGSGSGSGS (SEQ ID NO: 115), GAGAGAGAGAGA (SEQ ID NO: 116), and GSGSGSGSGSGS (SEQ ID NO: 117), GGAGGA (SEQ ID NO: 118), GGSGGS (SEQ ID NO: 119), GGAGGAGGA (SEQ ID NO: 120), GGSGGSGGS (SEQ ID NO: 121), GGAGGAGGAGGA (SEQ ID NO: 122), GGSGGSGGSGGS (SEQ ID NO: 123), GGAGGGAG (SEQ ID NO: 124), GGSGGGSG (SEQ ID NO: 125), GGAGGGAGGGAG (SEQ ID NO: 126), and GGSGGGSGGGSG (SEQ ID NO: 127), GGGGAGGGGAGGGGA (SEQ ID NO: 128), GGGGSGGGGSGGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 129), AAAL (SEQ ID NO: 133), AAAK (SEQ ID NO: 134), AAAR (SEQ ID NO: 135), EGKSSGSGSESKST (SEQ ID NO: 136), GSAGSAAGSGEF (SEQ ID NO: 137), AEAAAKEAAAKA (SEQ ID NO: 138), KESGSVSSEQLAQFRSLD (SEQ ID NO: 139), GENLYFQSGG (SEQ ID NO: 140), SACYCELS (SEQ ID NO: 141), RSIAT (SEQ ID NO: 142), RPACKIPNDLKQKVMNH (SEQ ID NO: 143), GGSAGGSGSGSSGGSSGASGTGTAGGTGSGSGTGSG (SEQ ID NO: 144), AAANSSIDLISVPVDSR (SEQ ID NO: 145), GGSGGGSEGGGSEGGGSEGGGSEGGGSEGGGSGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 146), EAAAK (SEQ ID NO: 147), or PAPAP (SEQ ID NO: 148).

In any of the aforementioned embodiments, the polypeptide described herein has a serum half-life of at least 7 days (e.g., in human subjects).

In any of the aforementioned embodiments, the polypeptide described herein binds to human bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) with a K_(D) of 200 pM or higher. In some embodiments, the polypeptide binds to activin and/or myostatin and has reduced (e.g., weak) binding to human BMP9. In some embodiments, the polypeptide does not substantially bind to human BMP9.

In any of the aforementioned embodiments, the polypeptide described herein binds to human activin A with a K_(D) of 800 pM or less.

In any of the aforementioned embodiments, the polypeptide described herein binds to human activin B with a K_(D) of approximately 800 pM or less.

In any of the aforementioned embodiments, the polypeptide described herein binds to human GDF-11 with a K_(D) of approximately 5 pM or higher.

In another aspect, the invention features a nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide described herein (e.g., a polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant having a sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)). In another aspect, the invention also features a vector including the nucleic acid molecule described herein.

In another aspect, the invention features a host cell that expresses a polypeptide described herein, wherein the host cell includes a nucleic acid molecule or a vector described in the previous two aspects, wherein the nucleic acid molecule or vector is expressed in the host cell.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of preparing a polypeptide described herein, wherein the method includes: a) providing a host cell including a nucleic acid molecule or a vector described herein, and b) expressing the nucleic acid molecule or vector in the host cell under conditions that allow for the formation of the polypeptide.

In another aspect, the invention features a pharmaceutical composition including a polypeptide, nucleic acid molecule, or vector described herein and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition, the polypeptide, nucleic acid molecule, or vector is in a therapeutically effective amount.

In another aspect, the invention also features a construct including two identical polypeptides (e.g., a homodimer) each including an extracellular ActRIIA variant having a sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) fused to the N- or C-terminus of an Fc domain monomer (e.g., the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 97). The two Fc domain monomers in the two polypeptides interact to form an Fc domain in the construct.

In another aspect, the invention also features a construct including two different polypeptides (e.g., a heterodimer) each including an extracellular ActRIIA variant having a sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) fused to the N- or C-terminus of an Fc domain monomer (e.g., the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 97). The two Fc domain monomers in the two polypeptides interact to form an Fc domain in the construct.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of decreasing or preventing fibrosis in a subject in need thereof by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide, nucleic acid molecule, or vector described herein or a pharmaceutical composition described herein.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of slowing, inhibiting, or reversing the progression of fibrosis in a subject in need thereof by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide, nucleic acid molecule, or vector described herein or a pharmaceutical composition described herein.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of reducing the risk of developing fibrosis or ameliorating existing fibrosis in subject in need thereof by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide, nucleic acid molecule, or vector described herein or a pharmaceutical composition described herein.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of treating a subject having or at risk of developing fibrosis by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide, nucleic acid molecule, or vector described herein or a pharmaceutical composition described herein.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of attenuating the development of fibrosis by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide, nucleic acid molecule, or vector described herein or a pharmaceutical composition described herein.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of reversing fibrosis by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide, nucleic acid molecule, or vector described herein or a pharmaceutical composition described herein.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of affecting myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 signaling (e.g., reducing or inhibiting the binding of myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 to their endogenous receptors) in a subject having or at risk of developing fibrosis, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide, nucleic acid molecule, or vector described herein or a pharmaceutical composition described herein.

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the fibrosis is chemotherapeutic drug-induced fibrosis, radiation-induced fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, hepatic fibrosis, renal fibrosis (e.g., fibrosis related to chronic kidney disease), corneal fibrosis, heart fibrosis, bone marrow fibrosis, mediastinal fibrosis, retroperitoneal fibrosis, osteoarticular fibrosis, arthrofibrosis, tissue fibrosis, a tumor stroma, a desmoplastic tumor, a surgical adhesion, a hypertrophic scar, or a keloid. In some embodiments, the tissue fibrosis is fibrosis affecting a tissue selected from the group consisting of muscle tissue, skin epidermis, skin dermis, tendon, cartilage, pancreatic tissue, uterine tissue, neural tissue, testis, ovary, adrenal gland, artery, vein, colon, small intestine, large intestine, biliary tract, and gut.

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the fibrosis is associated with wounds, burns, hepatitis B or C infection, fatty liver disease, Schistosoma infection, kidney disease (e.g., chronic kidney disease), heart disease, macular degeneration, retinal or vitreal retinopathy, Crohn's disease, systemic or local scleroderma, atherosclerosis, or restenosis. In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the fibrosis results from chronic kidney disease.

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the method improves the function of a fibrotic tissue or organ. In some embodiments of any of the above aspects, the method slows, inhibits, or reverses the progression of fibrosis. In some embodiments of any of the above aspects, the method reduces (e.g., reduces the frequency or severity of) or reverses one or more symptom of fibrosis.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of increasing red blood cell levels (e.g., increasing hemoglobin levels, red blood cell count, or hematocrit, e.g., increasing red cell mass) in a subject in need thereof by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide, nucleic acid molecule, or vector described herein or a pharmaceutical composition described herein.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of promoting or increasing red blood cell formation in a subject in need thereof by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide, nucleic acid molecule, or vector described herein or a pharmaceutical composition described herein.

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the subject has or is at risk of developing anemia or blood loss.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of affecting myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 signaling (e.g., reducing or inhibiting the binding of myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 to their endogenous receptors) in a subject having or at risk of developing a disease or condition involving low red blood cell levels (e.g., low hemoglobin levels, low red blood cell count, or low hematocrit, e.g., low red cell mass) by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide, nucleic acid molecule, or vector described herein or a pharmaceutical composition described herein. In some embodiments, the disease or condition is anemia or blood loss.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of treating a subject having or at risk of developing anemia, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide, nucleic acid molecule, or vector described herein or a pharmaceutical composition described herein.

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the anemia or blood loss is associated with cancer, cancer treatment, renal disease or failure (e.g., chronic kidney disease or acute renal disease or failure), myelodysplastic syndrome, thalassemia, nutritional deficits, adverse reaction to medication, an inflammatory or autoimmune disease, splenomegaly, porphyria, vasculitis, hemolysis, bone marrow defects, bone marrow transplantation, liver disease (e.g., acute liver disease or chronic liver disease), diabetes, bleeding (e.g., acute or chronic bleeding), infection, hemoglobinopathy, drug use, alcohol abuse, advanced age, Churg-Strauss syndrome, Felty syndrome, graft versus host disease, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, osteomyelofibrosis, pancytopenia, pure red-cell aplasia, purpura Schoenlein-Henoch, Shwachman syndrome (e.g., Shwachman-Diamond syndrome), contraindication to transfusion, surgery, trauma, a wound, an ulcer, urinary tract bleeding, digestive tract bleeding, frequent blood donation, or heavy menstrual bleeding.

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the anemia results from chronic kidney disease.

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the anemia is aplastic anemia, iron deficiency anemia, vitamin deficiency anemia, anemia of chronic disease, anemia associated with bone marrow disease, hemolytic anemia, sickle cell anemia, microcytic anemia, hypochromic anemia, sideroblastic anemia, Diamond Blackfan anemia, Fanconi's anemia, or refractory anemia with excess of blasts.

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the subject does not respond well to treatment with erythropoietin (EPO) or is susceptible to the adverse effects of EPO.

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the method increases red blood cell formation, red blood cell count, hematocrit, or hemoglobin levels (e.g., red cell mass).

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the method reduces the subject's need for a blood transfusion.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of preventing pulmonary hypertension (PH) in a subject in need thereof by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide, nucleic acid molecule, or vector described herein or a pharmaceutical composition described herein.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of reducing the risk of developing PH in a subject in need thereof by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide, nucleic acid molecule, or vector described herein or a pharmaceutical composition described herein.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of slowing or inhibiting the progression of PH in a subject in need thereof by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide, nucleic acid molecule, or vector described herein or a pharmaceutical composition described herein.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of treating a subject having or at risk of developing PH by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide, nucleic acid molecule, or vector described herein or a pharmaceutical composition described herein.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of affecting myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 signaling (e.g., reducing or inhibiting the binding of myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 to their endogenous receptors) in a subject having or at risk of developing PH by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide, nucleic acid molecule, or vector described herein or a pharmaceutical composition described herein.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of reducing vascular remodeling in a subject having or at risk of developing PH by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide, nucleic acid molecule, or vector described herein or a pharmaceutical composition described herein.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of reducing right ventricular hypertrophy in a subject having or at risk of developing PH by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide, nucleic acid molecule, or vector described herein or a pharmaceutical composition described herein.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of reducing pulmonary vascular resistance in a subject having or at risk of developing PH by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide, nucleic acid molecule, or vector described herein or a pharmaceutical composition described herein.

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the PH is pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). In some embodiments, the PAH is idiopathic PAH. In some embodiments, the PAH is heritable PAH. In some embodiments, the PAH is associated with HIV infection, schistosomiasis, cirrhosis of the liver, a congenital heart abnormality, portal hypertension, pulmonary veno-occlusive disease, pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis, a connective tissue disorder, an autoimmune disorder (e.g., scleroderma or lupus), or drug use or abuse (e.g., use of cocaine or methamphetamine).

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the PH is venous PH. In some embodiments, the venous PH is associated with left ventricular systolic dysfunction, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, valvular heart disease, congenital cardiomyopathy, or congenital or acquired pulmonary venous stenosis.

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the PH is hypoxic PH. In some embodiments, the hypoxic PH is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (e.g., emphysema), interstitial lung disease, sleep-disordered breathing (e.g., sleep apnea), a lung disease (e.g., pulmonary fibrosis), an alveolar hypoventilation disorder, chronic exposure to high altitude, or a developmental abnormality.

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the PH is thromboembolic PH. In some embodiments, the thromboembolic PH is associated with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary emboli, angiosarcoma, arteritis, congenital pulmonary artery stenosis, or parasitic infection.

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the PH is miscellaneous PH. In some embodiments, the miscellaneous PH is associated with a hematologic disease (e.g., chronic hemolytic anemia, sickle cell disease), a systemic disease (e.g., sarcoidosis, pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis, lymphangioleiomyomatosis, neurofibromatosis, or vasculitis), a metabolic disorder (e.g., glycogen storage disease, Gaucher disease, or thyroid diseases), pulmonary tumoral thrombotic microangiopathy, fibrosing mediastinitis, chronic kidney failure, or segmental pulmonary hypertension.

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the method reduces the frequency or severity of one or more symptoms of PH (e.g., reduces the severity or frequency of one or more of shortness of breath (dyspnea), fatigue, swelling (e.g., edema) of the legs, feet, belly (ascites), or neck, chest pain or pressure, racing pulse or heart palpitations, bluish color to lips or skin (cyanosis), dizziness, or fainting).

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the method reduces pulmonary vascular remodeling.

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the method reduces vascular remodeling in the heart.

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the method reduces right ventricular hypertrophy.

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the method reduces pulmonary vascular resistance (e.g., reduces pulmonary vascular resistance compared to measurements taken prior to treatment).

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the method improves performance in the 6 minute walk test (e.g., improves performance compared to measurements taken prior to treatment).

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the method reduces or inhibits the binding of activin and/or myostatin to their endogenous receptors.

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the polypeptide, nucleic acid, vector, or pharmaceutical composition is administered in an amount sufficient to reduce fibrosis, prevent the development of fibrosis, delay or attenuate the development of fibrosis, slow, inhibit, or reverse the progression of fibrosis, reduce the risk of developing fibrosis, reverse fibrosis, reduce one or more symptom of fibrosis, improve the function of a fibrotic tissue or organ, affect myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 signaling in the subject, or reduce or inhibit the binding of activin and/or myostatin to their endogenous receptors.

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the polypeptide, nucleic acid, vector, or pharmaceutical composition is administered in an amount sufficient to increase red blood cell levels, increase hemoglobin levels, increase hematocrit, increase red blood cell formation, increase red blood cell count, increase red cell mass, reduce the need for a blood transfusion, treat anemia, affect myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 signaling in the subject, or reduce or inhibit the binding of activin and/or myostatin to their endogenous receptors.

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the polypeptide, nucleic acid, vector, or pharmaceutical composition is administered in an amount sufficient to increase prevent PH, reduce the risk of developing PH, reduce the severity or frequency of one or more symptoms of PH, delay or attenuate the development of PH, slow or inhibit the progression of PH, treat PH, reduce pulmonary vascular remodeling, reduce vascular remodeling in the heart, reduce right ventricular hypertrophy, reduce pulmonary vascular resistance, improve performance in the 6 minute walk test, affect myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 signaling in the subject, or reduce or inhibit the binding of activin and/or myostatin to their endogenous receptors. In some embodiments, the PH is PAH. In some embodiments, the PH is venous PH. In some embodiments, the PH is hypoxic PH. In some embodiments, the PH is thromboembolic PH. In some embodiments, the PH is miscellaneous PH.

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the method does not cause a vascular complication in the subject. In some embodiments, the method does not increase vascular permeability or leakage.

In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the variant has the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69. In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the variant has the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58. In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the variant has the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6. In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the variant has the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38. In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the variant has the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41. In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the variant has the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44. In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the variant has the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70. In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the variant has the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71. In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the variant has the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 72. In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the variant having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 58, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 38, SEQ ID NO: 41, SEQ ID NO: 44, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, or SEQ ID NO: 72 has the amino acid K at position X₁₇. In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the variant having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 58, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 38, SEQ ID NO: 41, SEQ ID NO: 44, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, or SEQ ID NO: 72 has the amino acid sequence TEEN or TKEN at positions X₂₃, X₂₄, X₂₆, and X₂₆. In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the variant having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 58, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 38, SEQ ID NO: 41, SEQ ID NO: 44, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71 has a C-terminal extension (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more additional amino acids at the C-terminus, e.g., the amino acids NP or NPVTPK (SEQ ID NO: 155)). In some embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects, the method includes increasing decreasing or preventing fibrosis in a subject in need thereof (e.g., a subject having or at risk of developing fibrosis), slowing or inhibiting the progression of fibrosis in a subject in need thereof, reversing fibrosis in a subject in need thereof treating a subject having or at risk of developing fibrosis, affecting myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 signaling (e.g., reducing or inhibiting the binding of myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 to their endogenous receptors) in a subject (e.g., a subject having or at risk of developing fibrosis, low red blood cell levels, or PH), increasing red blood cell levels in a subject (e.g., a subject having or at risk of developing anemia or blood loss), increasing red blood cell formation in a subject (e.g., a subject having or at risk of developing anemia or blood loss), treating a subject having or at risk of developing anemia, preventing PH, reducing the risk of developing PH, slowing or inhibiting the progression of PH, or treating a subject having or at risk of developing PH by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a variant having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 58, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 38, SEQ ID NO: 41, SEQ ID NO: 44, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, or SEQ ID NO: 72, optionally having the amino acid K at position X₁₇, the amino acid sequence TEEN or TKEN at positions X₂₃, X₂₄, X₂₅, and X₂₆, and/or a C-terminal extension, or a pharmaceutical composition containing said variant.

Definitions

As used herein, the term “extracellular activin receptor type IIA (ActRIIA) variant” refers to a peptide including a soluble, extracellular portion of the single transmembrane receptor, ActRIIA, that has at least one amino acid substitution relative to a wild-type extracellular ActRIIA (e.g., bold portion of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 75 shown below) or an extracellular ActRIIA having any one of the sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 76-96. The sequence of the wild-type, human ActRIIA precursor protein is shown below (SEQ ID NO: 75), in which the signal peptide is italicized and the extracellular portion is bold.

Wild-type, human ActRIIA precursor protein (SEQ ID NO: 75): MGAAAKLAFAVFLISCSS GAILGRSETQECLFFNANWEKDRTNQTGVEPC YGDKDKRRHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKQGCWLDDINCYDRTDCVEKKDSPEV YFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTSNPVTPKPPYYNILLYSLVPLMLI AGIVICAFWVYRHHKMAYPPVLVPTQDPGPPPPSPLLGLKPLQLLEVKAR GRFGCVWKAQLLNEYVAVKIFPIQDKQSWQNEYEVYSLPGMKHENILQFI GAEKRGTSVDVDLWLITAFHEKGSLSDFLKANVVSWNELCHIAETMARGL AYLHEDIPGLKDGHKPAISHRDIKSKNVLLKNNLTACIADFGLALKFEAG KSAGDTHGQVGTRRYMAPEVLEGAINFQRDAFLRIDMYAMGLVLWELASR CTAADGPVDEYMLPFEEEIGQHPSLEDMQEVVVHKKKRPVLRDYWQKHAG MAMLCETIEECWDHDAEARLSAGCVGERITQMQRLTNIITTEDIVTVVTM VTNVDFPPKESSL

An extracellular ActRIIA variant may have a sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72. In particular embodiments, an extracellular ActRIIA variant has a sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6-72 (Table 2). In some embodiments, an extracellular ActRIIA variant may have at least 85% (e.g., at least 85%, 87%, 90%, 92%, 95%, 97%, or greater) amino acid sequence identity to the sequence of a wild-type extracellular ActRIIA (SEQ ID NO: 73).

As used herein, the term “extracellular ActRIIB variant” refers to a peptide including a soluble, extracellular portion of the single transmembrane receptor, ActRIIB, that has at least one amino acid substitution relative to a wild-type extracellular ActRIIB (e.g., the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74). An extracellular ActRIIB variant may have the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 149 shown below:

extracellular ActRIIB variant (SEQ ID NO: 149): GRGEAETRECIFYNANWEKDRTNQSGLEPCYGDQDKRRHCFASWKNSSGT IELVKQGCWLDDINCYDRQECVAKKDSPEVYFCCCEGNFCNERFTHLPEA GGPEVTYEPPPTAPT

As used herein, the term “linker” refers to a linkage between two elements, e.g., peptides or protein domains. A polypeptide described herein may include an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having a sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) fused to a moiety. The moiety may increase stability or improve pharmacokinetic properties of the polypeptide. The moiety (e.g., Fc domain monomer, a wild-type Fc domain, an Fc domain with amino acid substitutions (e.g., one or more substitutions that reduce dimerization), an albumin-binding peptide, a fibronectin domain, or a human serum albumin) may be fused to the polypeptide by way of a linker. A linker can be a covalent bond or a spacer. The term “bond” refers to a chemical bond, e.g., an amide bond or a disulfide bond, or any kind of bond created from a chemical reaction, e.g., chemical conjugation. The term “spacer” refers to a moiety (e.g., a polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymer) or an amino acid sequence (e.g., a 1-200 amino acid sequence) occurring between two elements, e.g., peptides or protein domains, to provide space and/or flexibility between the two elements. An amino acid spacer is part of the primary sequence of a polypeptide (e.g., fused to the spaced peptides via the polypeptide backbone). The formation of disulfide bonds, e.g., between two hinge regions that form an Fc domain, is not considered a linker.

As used herein, the term “Fc domain” refers to a dimer of two Fc domain monomers. An Fc domain has at least 80% sequence identity (e.g., at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity) to a human Fc domain that includes at least a C_(H)2 domain and a C_(H)3 domain. An Fc domain monomer includes second and third antibody constant domains (C_(H)2 and C_(H)3). In some embodiments, the Fc domain monomer also includes a hinge domain. An Fc domain does not include any portion of an immunoglobulin that is capable of acting as an antigen-recognition region, e.g., a variable domain or a complementarity determining region (CDR). In the wild-type Fc domain, the two Fc domain monomers dimerize by the interaction between the two C_(H)3 antibody constant domains, as well as one or more disulfide bonds that form between the hinge domains of the two dimerizing Fc domain monomers. In some embodiments, an Fc domain may be mutated to lack effector functions, typical of a “dead Fc domain.” In certain embodiments, each of the Fc domain monomers in an Fc domain includes amino acid substitutions in the C_(H)2 antibody constant domain to reduce the interaction or binding between the Fc domain and an Fcγ receptor. In some embodiments, the Fc domain contains one or more amino acid substitutions that reduce or inhibit Fc domain dimerization. An Fc domain can be any immunoglobulin antibody isotype, including IgG, IgE, IgM, IgA, or IgD. Additionally, an Fc domain can be an IgG subtype (e.g., IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG3, or IgG4). The Fc domain can also be a non-naturally occurring Fc domain, e.g., a recombinant Fc domain.

As used herein, the term “albumin-binding peptide” refers to an amino acid sequence of 12 to 16 amino acids that has affinity for and functions to bind serum albumin. An albumin-binding peptide can be of different origins, e.g., human, mouse, or rat. In some embodiments, an albumin-binding peptide has the sequence DICLPRWGCLW (SEQ ID NO: 152).

As used herein, the term “fibronectin domain” refers to a high molecular weight glycoprotein of the extracellular matrix, or a fragment thereof, that binds to, e.g., membrane-spanning receptor proteins such as integrins and extracellular matrix components such as collagens and fibrins. In some embodiments, a fibronectin domain is a fibronectin type III domain (SEQ ID NO: 153) having amino acids 610-702 of the sequence of UniProt ID NO: P02751. In other embodiments, a fibronectin domain is an adnectin protein.

As used herein, the term “human serum albumin” refers to the albumin protein present in human blood plasma. Human serum albumin is the most abundant protein in the blood. It constitutes about half of the blood serum protein. In some embodiments, a human serum albumin has the sequence of UniProt ID NO: P02768 (SEQ ID NO: 154).

As used herein, the term “fused” is used to describe the combination or attachment of two or more elements, components, or protein domains, e.g., peptides or polypeptides, by means including chemical conjugation, recombinant means, and chemical bonds, e.g., amide bonds. For example, two single peptides in tandem series can be fused to form one contiguous protein structure, e.g., a polypeptide, through chemical conjugation, a chemical bond, a peptide linker, or any other means of covalent linkage. In some embodiments of a polypeptide described herein, an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) may be fused in tandem series to the N- or C-terminus of a moiety (e.g., Fc domain monomer (e.g., the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 97) a wild-type Fc domain (e.g., the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 151), an Fc domain with amino acid substitutions (e.g., one or more substitutions that reduce dimerization), an albumin-binding peptide (e.g., the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 152), a fibronectin domain (e.g., the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 153), or a human serum albumin (e.g., the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 154)) by way of a linker. For example, an extracellular ActRIIA variant is fused to a moiety (e.g., an Fc domain monomer, a wild-type Fc domain, an Fc domain with amino acid substitutions (e.g., one or more substitutions that reduce dimerization), an albumin-binding peptide, a fibronectin domain, or a human serum albumin) by way of a peptide linker, in which the N-terminus of the peptide linker is fused to the C-terminus of the extracellular ActRIIA variant through a chemical bond, e.g., a peptide bond, and the C-terminus of the peptide linker is fused to the N-terminus of the moiety (e.g., Fc domain monomer, wild-type Fc domain, Fc domain with amino acid substitutions (e.g., one or more substitutions that reduce dimerization), albumin-binding peptide, fibronectin domain, or human serum albumin) through a chemical bond, e.g., a peptide bond.

As used herein, the term “C-terminal extension” refers to the addition of one or more amino acids to the C-terminus of a polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-70 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-70)). The C-terminal extension can be 1-6 amino acids (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more amino acids). Exemplary C-terminal extensions are the amino acid sequence NP (a two amino acid C-terminal extension) and the amino acid sequence NPVTPK (SEQ ID NO: 155) (a six amino acid C-terminal extension). Any amino acid sequence that does not disrupt the activity of the polypeptide can be used. SEQ ID NO: 71, which is the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69 with a C-terminal extension of NP, and SEQ ID NO: 72, which is the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69 with a C-terminal extension of NPVTPK, represent two of the possible ways that a polypeptide of the invention can be modified to include a C-terminal extension.

As used herein, the term “percent (%) identity” refers to the percentage of amino acid (or nucleic acid) residues of a candidate sequence, e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant, that are identical to the amino acid (or nucleic acid) residues of a reference sequence, e.g., a wild-type extracellular ActRIIA (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 73), after aligning the sequences and introducing gaps, if necessary, to achieve the maximum percent identity (i.e., gaps can be introduced in one or both of the candidate and reference sequences for optimal alignment and non-homologous sequences can be disregarded for comparison purposes). Alignment for purposes of determining percent identity can be achieved in various ways that are within the skill in the art, for instance, using publicly available computer software such as BLAST, ALIGN, or Megalign (DNASTAR) software. Those skilled in the art can determine appropriate parameters for measuring alignment, including any algorithms needed to achieve maximal alignment over the full length of the sequences being compared. In some embodiments, the percent amino acid (or nucleic acid) sequence identity of a given candidate sequence to, with, or against a given reference sequence (which can alternatively be phrased as a given candidate sequence that has or includes a certain percent amino acid (or nucleic acid) sequence identity to, with, or against a given reference sequence) is calculated as follows:

100×(fraction of A/B)

where A is the number of amino acid (or nucleic acid) residues scored as identical in the alignment of the candidate sequence and the reference sequence, and where B is the total number of amino acid (or nucleic acid) residues in the reference sequence. In some embodiments where the length of the candidate sequence does not equal to the length of the reference sequence, the percent amino acid (or nucleic acid) sequence identity of the candidate sequence to the reference sequence would not equal to the percent amino acid (or nucleic acid) sequence identity of the reference sequence to the candidate sequence.

In particular embodiments, a reference sequence aligned for comparison with a candidate sequence may show that the candidate sequence exhibits from 50% to 100% identity across the full length of the candidate sequence or a selected portion of contiguous amino acid (or nucleic acid) residues of the candidate sequence. The length of the candidate sequence aligned for comparison purpose is at least 30%, e.g., at least 40%, e.g., at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% of the length of the reference sequence. When a position in the candidate sequence is occupied by the same amino acid (or nucleic acid) residue as the corresponding position in the reference sequence, then the molecules are identical at that position.

As used herein, the term “serum half-life” refers to, in the context of administering a therapeutic protein to a subject, the time required for plasma concentration of the protein in the subject to be reduced by half. The protein can be redistributed or cleared from the bloodstream, or degraded, e.g., by proteolysis. As described herein, a polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having a sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) displays a serum half-life of 7 days in humans.

As used herein, the term “affinity” or “binding affinity” refers to the strength of the binding interaction between two molecules. Generally, binding affinity refers to the strength of the sum total of non-covalent interactions between a molecule and its binding partner, such as an extracellular ActRIIA variant and BMP9 or activin A. Unless indicated otherwise, binding affinity refers to intrinsic binding affinity, which reflects a 1:1 interaction between members of a binding pair. The binding affinity between two molecules is commonly described by the dissociation constant (K_(D)) or the affinity constant (KA). Two molecules that have low binding affinity for each other generally bind slowly, tend to dissociate easily, and exhibit a large K_(D). Two molecules that have high affinity for each other generally bind readily, tend to remain bound longer, and exhibit a small K_(D). The K_(D) of two interacting molecules may be determined using methods and techniques well known in the art, e.g., surface plasmon resonance. K_(D) is calculated as the ratio of k_(off)/k_(on).

As used herein, the phrase “affecting myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 signaling” means changing the binding of myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 to their receptors, e.g., ActRIIA, ActRIIB, and BMPRII (e.g., ActRIIA). In some embodiments, a polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant described herein reduces or inhibits the binding of myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 to their receptors, e.g., ActRIIA, ActRIIB, and BMPRII (e.g., ActRIIA). As described herein, a polypeptide of the invention including an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) may have weak binding affinity to BMP9 (e.g., K_(D) of 200 pM or higher).

As used herein, the terms “increasing” and “decreasing” refer to modulating resulting in, respectively, greater or lesser amounts, of function, expression, or activity of a metric relative to a reference. For example, subsequent to administration of a polypeptide of the invention including an extracellular ActRIIA variant in a method described herein, the amount of a marker of a metric (e.g., red blood cell count) as described herein may be increased or decreased in a subject relative to the amount of the marker prior to administration. Generally, the metric is measured subsequent to administration at a time that the administration has had the recited effect, e.g., at least one week, one month, 3 months, or 6 months, after a treatment regimen has begun.

As used herein, the term “endogenous” describes a molecule (e.g., a polypeptide, nucleic acid, or cofactor) that is found naturally in a particular organism (e.g., a human) or in a particular location within an organism (e.g., an organ, a tissue, or a cell, such as a human cell, e.g., a human hair cell).

As used herein, the term “fibrosis” refers to the pathological process of excess formation of fibrous connective tissue. Fibrosis is characterized by fibroblast accumulation and collagen deposition in excess of normal deposition in any particular tissue. In response to inflammation or an injury to a tissue, nearby fibroblasts can migrate into the wound, proliferate, and produce large amounts of collagenous extracellular matrix. When fibrosis occurs in response to injury, the term “scarring” can be used as synonym. Fibrosis may occur in many tissues of the body, including, e.g., lungs, skin, liver, kidney, heart, eye, tendon, cartilage, pancreatic tissue, uterine tissue, neural tissue, testis, ovary, adrenal gland, artery, vein, colon, small and large intestine, biliary tract, and gut.

As used herein, the terms “pulmonary hypertension” or “PH” refer to a disease characterized by an increase in blood pressure between the heart and lungs, which can include an increase in blood pressure in pulmonary arteries (pulmonary arterial hypertension), pulmonary veins, or pulmonary capillaries. Pulmonary hypertension can have a number of symptoms, shortness of breath (dyspnea), fatigue, swelling (e.g., edema) of the legs, feet, belly (ascites), or neck, chest pain or pressure, racing pulse or heart palpitations, bluish color to lips or skin (cyanosis), dizziness, or fainting. PH also features reduce exercise tolerance and may lead to heart failure.

As used herein, the terms “pulmonary arterial hypertension” or “PAH” refer to a form of pulmonary hypertension characterized by a narrowing or obstruction in the small pulmonary arteries, often caused by scarring, and an increase in pulmonary arterial blood pressure. PAH is also known as WHO Group I PH. PAH can be diagnosed based on an increase in blood pressure in the pulmonary artery mean pulmonary arterial pressure above 25 mmHg at rest, with a normal pulmonary artery capillary wedge pressure. PAH can lead to shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, and other symptoms, all of which are exacerbated by exertion. PAH can be a severe disease with a markedly decreased exercise tolerance and heart failure. Two major types of PAH include idiopathic PAH (e.g., PAH in which no predisposing factor is identified) and heritable PAH (e.g., PAH associated with a mutation in BMPR2, ALK1, SMAD9, caveolin 1, KCNK3, or EIF2AK4). In 70% of familial PAH cases, mutations are located in the BMPR2 gene. Risk factors for the development of PAH include family history of PAH, drug use (e.g., methamphetamine or cocaine use), infection (e.g., HIV infection or schistosomiasis), cirrhosis of the liver, congenital heart abnormalities, portal hypertension, pulmonary veno-occlusive disease, pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis, or connective tissue/autoimmune disorders (e.g., scleroderma or lupus).

As used herein, the terms “venous pulmonary hypertension” and “venous PH” refer to a form of pulmonary hypertension that is secondary to left heart disease. Venous PH is also known as WHO Group II PH. Venous PH may be associated with or caused by left ventricular systolic dysfunction (e.g., failure of the left ventricle), left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, valvular heart disease (e.g., mitral valve or aortic valve disease), congenital cardiomyopathy, or congenital/acquired pulmonary venous stenosis.

As used herein, the terms “hypoxic pulmonary hypertension” and “hypoxic PH” refer to a form of pulmonary hypertension that is due to lung disease or chronic hypoxia. This form of PH is also known as WHO Group III PH. Hypoxic PH may be associated with or caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (e.g., emphysema), interstitial lung disease, sleep-disordered breathing (e.g., sleep apnea), lung disease (e.g., pulmonary fibrosis), alveolar hypoventilation disorders, chronic exposure to high altitude, or developmental abnormalities.

As used herein, the terms “thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension” and “thromboembolic PH” refer to a form of pulmonary hypertension that is related to chronic arterial obstruction (e.g., blood clots). Thromboembolic PH is also known as WHO Group IV PH. Thromboembolic PH may be associated with or caused by chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, or other pulmonary artery obstructions (e.g., pulmonary emboli, angiosarcoma, arteritis, congenital pulmonary artery stenosis, or parasitic infection).

As used herein, the terms “miscellaneous pulmonary hypertension” and “miscellaneous PH” refer to a form of pulmonary hypertension with unclear or multifactorial mechanisms. This form of PH is categorized as WHO Group V PH. Miscellaneous PH may be associated with or caused by a hematologic disease (e.g., chronic hemolytic anemia, sickle cell disease), a systemic disease (e.g., sarcoidosis, pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis, lymphangioleiomyomatosis, neurofibromatosis, or vasculitis), a metabolic disorder (e.g., glycogen storage disease, Gaucher disease, or thyroid diseases), pulmonary tumoral thrombotic microangiopathy, fibrosing mediastinitis, chronic kidney failure, or segmental pulmonary hypertension.

As used herein, the term “red blood cell levels” refers to clinically observable metrics, such as hematocrit, red blood cell counts, and hemoglobin measurements. As used herein, the terms “increase red blood cell levels” and “promote red blood cell formation” refer to increases in clinically observable metrics, such as hematocrit, red blood cell counts, and hemoglobin measurements, and are intended to be neutral as to the mechanism by which such changes occur. The term “low red blood cell levels” as used herein refers to red blood cell counts, hematocrit, and hemoglobin measurements that are below the range of values that is considered normal for the subject's age and gender.

As used herein, the term “red cell mass” refers to the total mass of red blood cells in circulation, which is typically reduced in anemia.

As used herein, the terms “red blood cell formation” and “red blood cell production” refer to the generation of red blood cells, such as the process of erythropoiesis in which red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow.

As used herein, the term “anemia” refers to any abnormality in hemoglobin or red blood cells that leads to reduced oxygen levels in the blood. Anemia can be associated with abnormal production, processing, or performance of erythrocytes and/or hemoglobin. The term anemia refers to any reduction in the number of red blood cells and/or level of hemoglobin in blood relative to normal blood levels.

As used herein, the term “vascular complication” refers to a vascular disorder or any damage to the blood vessels, such as damage to the blood vessel walls. Damage to the blood vessel walls may cause an increase in vascular permeability or leakage. The term “vascular permeability or leakage” refers to the capacity of the blood vessel walls to allow the flow of small molecules, proteins, and cells in and out of blood vessels. An increase in vascular permeability or leakage may be caused by an increase in the gaps (e.g., an increase in the size and/or number of the gaps) between endothelial cells that line the blood vessel walls and/or thinning of the blood vessel walls.

As used herein, the term “polypeptide” describes a single polymer in which the monomers are amino acid residues which are covalently conjugated together through amide bonds. A polypeptide is intended to encompass any amino acid sequence, either naturally occurring, recombinant, or synthetically produced.

As used herein, the term “homodimer” refers to a molecular construct formed by two identical macromolecules, such as proteins or nucleic acids. The two identical monomers may form a homodimer by covalent bonds or non-covalent bonds. For example, an Fc domain may be a homodimer of two Fc domain monomers if the two Fc domain monomers contain the same sequence. In another example, a polypeptide described herein including an extracellular ActRIIA variant fused to an Fc domain monomer may form a homodimer through the interaction of two Fc domain monomers, which form an Fc domain in the homodimer.

As used herein, the term “heterodimer” refers to a molecular construct formed by two different macromolecules, such as proteins or nucleic acids. The two monomers may form a heterodimer by covalent bonds or non-covalent bonds. For example, a polypeptide described herein including an extracellular ActRIIA variant fused to an Fc domain monomer may form a heterodimer through the interaction of two Fc domain monomers, each fused to a different ActRIIA variant, which form an Fc domain in the heterodimer.

As used herein, the term “host cell” refers to a vehicle that includes the necessary cellular components, e.g., organelles, needed to express proteins from their corresponding nucleic acids. The nucleic acids are typically included in nucleic acid vectors that can be introduced into the host cell by conventional techniques known in the art (transformation, transfection, electroporation, calcium phosphate precipitation, direct microinjection, etc.). A host cell may be a prokaryotic cell, e.g., a bacterial cell, or a eukaryotic cell, e.g., a mammalian cell (e.g., a CHO cell or a HEK293 cell).

As used herein, the term “therapeutically effective amount” refers an amount of a polypeptide, nucleic acid, or vector of the invention or a pharmaceutical composition containing a polypeptide, nucleic acid, or vector of the invention effective in achieving the desired therapeutic effect in treating a patient having a disease or condition, such as a anemia, fibrosis, or PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH). In particular, the therapeutically effective amount of the polypeptide, nucleic acid, or vector avoids adverse side effects.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutical composition” refers to a medicinal or pharmaceutical formulation that includes an active ingredient as well as excipients and diluents to enable the active ingredient suitable for the method of administration. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention includes pharmaceutically acceptable components that are compatible with the polypeptide, nucleic acid, or vector. The pharmaceutical composition may be in tablet or capsule form for oral administration or in aqueous form for intravenous or subcutaneous administration.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient” refers to an excipient or diluent in a pharmaceutical composition. The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier must be compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not deleterious to the recipient. In the present invention, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient must provide adequate pharmaceutical stability to the polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant, the nucleic acid molecule(s) encoding the polypeptide, or a vector containing such nucleic acid molecule(s). The nature of the carrier or excipient differs with the mode of administration. For example, for intravenous administration, an aqueous solution carrier is generally used; for oral administration, a solid carrier is preferred.

As used herein, the term “treating and/or preventing” refers to the treatment and/or prevention of a disease or condition, e.g., anemia, fibrosis, or PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH), using methods and compositions of the invention. Generally, treating anemia, fibrosis, or PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH) occurs after a subject has developed anemia, fibrosis, or PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH) and/or is already diagnosed with anemia, fibrosis, or PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH). Preventing anemia, fibrosis, or PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH) refers to steps or procedures taken when a subject is at risk of developing anemia, fibrosis, or PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH). The subject may show signs or mild symptoms that are judged by a physician to be indications or risk factors for developing anemia, fibrosis, or PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH), have another disease or condition associated with the development of anemia, fibrosis, or PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH), be undergoing treatment that may cause anemia or fibrosis (e.g., surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation), or have a family history or genetic predisposition of developing anemia, fibrosis, or PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH), but has not yet developed the disease or condition.

As used herein, the term “subject” refers to a mammal, e.g., preferably a human. Mammals include, but are not limited to, humans and domestic and farm animals, such as monkeys (e.g., a cynomolgus monkey), mice, dogs, cats, horses, and cows, etc.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sequence alignment showing the wild-type sequences of extracellular ActRIIA and ActRIIB and the amino acid substitutions in ActRIIA variants.

FIG. 2 is a series of graphs showing that treatment of aged mdx mice with ActRIIA/B-Fc (NB, SEQ ID NO: 69 fused to an Fc domain) attenuated the development of fibrosis.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing that treatment of non-human primates with ActRIIA/B-Fc (SEQ ID NO: 69 fused to an Fc domain) increased red cell mass. Hct—hematocrit, Hgb—hemoglobin, RBC—red blood cell number.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention features polypeptides that include an extracellular activin receptor type IIA (ActRIIA) variant. In some embodiments, a polypeptide of the invention includes an extracellular ActRIIA variant fused to a moiety (e.g., Fc domain monomer, a wild-type Fc domain, an Fc domain with amino acid substitutions (e.g., one or more substitutions that reduce dimerization), an albumin-binding peptide, a fibronectin domain, or a human serum albumin). A polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant fused to an Fc domain monomer may also form a dimer (e.g., homodimer or heterodimer) through the interaction between two Fc domain monomers. The ActRIIA variants described herein have weak binding affinity or no binding affinity to bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) compared to activins and myostatin. The invention also includes methods of treating or preventing fibrosis, methods of treating or preventing low red blood cell levels (e.g., anemia or blood loss) by increasing red blood cell levels (e.g., red blood cell count, hemoglobin levels, or hematocrit, e.g., increasing red cell mass) or red blood cell production, methods of treating or preventing pulmonary hypertension (PH) (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH), or methods of affecting myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 signaling in a subject by administering to the subject a polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant described herein.

I. Extracellular Activin Receptor Type IIA (ActRIIA) Variants

Activin type II receptors are single transmembrane domain receptors that modulate signals for ligands in the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily. Ligands in the TGF-β superfamily are involved in a host of physiological processes, such as muscle growth, vascular growth, cell differentiation, homeostasis, and osteogenesis. Examples of ligands in the TGF-β superfamily include, e.g., activin, inhibin, growth differentiation factors (GDFs) (e.g., GDF8, also known as myostatin, and GDF11), and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) (e.g., BMP9). Myostatin and activins are have been shown to regulate fibrosis. For example, mice lacking myostatin show a reduction in muscle fibrosis, and injection of myostatin-coated beads induces muscle fibrosis in mice. Mice overexpressing an activin subunit that leads to production of diffusible activin A also exhibit fibrosis. Elevated activin A has also been observed in clinical and experimental pulmonary hypertension. Another Activin type II receptor ligand, GDF11, has been shown to be overexpressed in a mouse model of β-thalassemia and associated with ineffective red blood cell production. Methods that reduce or inhibit signaling through Activin type II receptors (e.g., signaling mediated by myostatin, activins, and/or GDF11) could, therefore, be used in the treatment of fibrosis, disorders involving low red blood cell levels (e.g., anemia), and pulmonary hypertension (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH).

There exist two types of activin type II receptors: ActRIIA and ActRIIB. Studies have shown that BMP9 binds ActRIIB with about 300-fold higher binding affinity than ActRIIA (see, e.g., Townson et al., J. Biol. Chem. 287:27313, 2012). ActRIIA is known to have a longer half-life compared to ActRIIB. The present invention describes extracellular ActRIIA variants that are constructed by introducing amino acid residues of ActRIIB to ActRIIA, with the goal of imparting physiological properties conferred by ActRIIB, while also maintaining beneficial physiological and pharmacokinetic properties of ActRIIA. The optimum peptides reduce fibrosis, treat PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH), and/or increase red blood cell levels (e.g., increase red blood cell production), while retaining longer serum half-life and low binding-affinity to BMP9, for example. The preferred ActRIIA variants also exhibit improved binding to activins and/or myostatin compared to wild-type ActRIIA, which allows them to compete with endogenous activin receptors for ligand binding and reduce or inhibit endogenous activin receptor signaling. These variants can be used to treat disorders in which activin receptor signaling is elevated, such as fibrosis, PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH), and anemia, leading to a reduction in fibrosis (e.g., reduced fibrosis, a slowing or stopping of the progression of fibrosis, amelioration of existing fibrosis, or a reversal of existing fibrosis), an increase red blood cell levels (e.g., an increase in hemoglobin levels, hematocrit, or red blood cell counts, e.g., an increase in red blood cell production and/or red cell mass), or a reduction in the symptoms or progression of PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH). In some embodiments, amino acid substitutions may be introduced to an extracellular ActRIIA variant to reduce or remove the binding affinity of the variant to BMP9. The wild-type amino acid sequences of the extracellular portions of human ActRIIA and ActRIIB are shown below.

Human ActRIIA, extracellular portion  (SEQ ID NO: 73): GAILGRSETQECLFFNANWEKDRTNQTGVEPCYGDKDKRRHCFATWKNIS GSIEIVKQGCWLDDINCYDRTDCVEKKDSPEVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFP EMEVTQPTS Human ActRIIB, extracellular portion  (SEQ ID NO: 74): GRGEAETRECIYYNANWELERTNQSGLERCEGEQDKRLHCYASWRNSSGT IELVKKGCWLDDFNCYDRQECVATEENPQVYFCCCEGNFCNERFTHLPEA GGPEVTYEPPPTAPT

Polypeptides described herein include an extracellular ActRIIA variant having at least one amino acid substitution relative to the wild-type extracellular ActRIIA having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 or the extracellular ActRIIA having any one of the sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 76-96. Possible amino acid substitutions at 27 different positions may be introduced to an extracellular ActRIIA variant (Table 1). In some embodiments, an extracellular ActRIIA variant may have at least 85% (e.g., at least 85%, 87%, 90%, 92%, 95%, 97%, or greater) amino acid sequence identity to the sequence of a wild-type extracellular ActRIIA (SEQ ID NO: 73). An extracellular ActRIIA variant may have one or more (e.g., 1-27, 1-25, 1-23, 1-21, 1-19, 1-17, 1-15, 1-13, 1-11, 1-9, 1-7, 1-5, 1-3, or 1-2; e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, or 27) amino acid substitutions relative the sequence of a wild-type extracellular ActRIIA (SEQ ID NO: 73). In some embodiments, an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1) may include amino acid substitutions at all of the 27 positions as listed in Table 1. In some embodiments, an extracellular ActRIIA variant may include amino acid substitutions at a number of positions, e.g., at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, or 26 out of the 27 positions, as listed in Table 1.

Amino acid substitutions can worsen or improve the activity and/or binding affinity of the ActRIIA variants of the invention. To maintain polypeptide function, it is important that the lysine (K) at position X₁₇ in the sequences shown in Tables 1 and 2 (SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) be retained. Substitutions at that position can lead to a loss of activity. For example, an ActRIIA variant having the sequence

GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCYATWRNISGSIEIVAKGCWLDDFNCYD RTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS (SEQ ID NO: 150) has reduced activity in vivo, indicating that the substitution of alanine (A) for lysine (K) at X₁₇ is not tolerated. ActRIIA variants of the invention, including variants in Tables 1 and 2 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72), therefore, retain amino acid K at position X₁₇.

The ActRIIA variants of the invention preferably have reduced, weak, or no substantial binding to BMP9. BMP9 binding is reduced in ActRIIA variants (e.g., reduced compared to wild-type ActRIIA) containing the amino acid sequence TEEN at positions X₂₃, X₂₄, X₂₅, and X₂₆, as well as in variants that maintain the amino acid K at position X₂₄ and have the amino acid sequence TKEN at positions X₂₃, X₂₄, X₂₅, and X₂₆. The sequences TEEN and TKEN can be employed interchangeably in the ActRIIA variants (e.g., the variants in Tables 1 and 2, e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) of the invention to provide reduced BMP9 binding.

The ActRIIA variants of the invention may further include a C-terminal extension (e.g., additional amino acids at the C-terminus). The C-terminal extension can add one to six additional amino acids at the C-terminus (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more additional amino acids) to any of the variants shown in Tables 1 and 2 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 1-70 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-70)). One potential C-terminal extension that can be included in the ActRIIA variants of the invention is amino acid sequence NP. For example, a sequence including the C-terminal extension NP is SEQ ID NO: 71 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 69 with a C-terminal extension of NP). Another exemplary C-terminal extension that can be included in the ActRIIA variants of the invention is amino acid sequence NPVTPK (SEQ ID NO: 155). For example, a sequence including the C-terminal extension NPVTPK is SEQ ID NO: 72 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 69 with a C-terminal extension of NPVTPK).

TABLE 1 Amino acid substitutions in an extracellular  ActRIIA variant having a sequence of any one of  SEQ ID NOs: 1-5 (SEQ ID NO: 1) GAILGRSETQECLX₁X₂NANWX₃X₄X₅X₆TNQTGVEX₇CX₈GX₉X₁₀X₁₁X₁₂X₁₃ X₁₄HCX₁₅ATWX₁₆NISGSIEIVX₁₇X₁₈GCX₁₉X₂₀X₂₁DX₂₂NCYDRTDCVEX₂₃ X₂₄X₂₅X₂₆PX₂₇VYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS (SEQ ID NO: 2) GAILGRSETQECLFX₂NANWX₃X₄X₅X₆TNQTGVEX₇CX₈GX₉KX₁₁X₁₂X₁₃X₁₄ HCX₁₅ATWX₁₆NISGSIEIVX₁₇X₁₈GCX₁₉X₂₀X₂₁DX₂₂NCYDRTDCVEX₂₃X₂₄ X₂₅X₂₆PX₂₇VYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS (SEQ ID NO: 3) GAILGRSETQECLFX₂NANWEX₄X₅RTNQTGVEX₇CX₈GX₉KDKRX₁₄HCX₁₅A TWX₁₆NISGSIEIVKX₁₈GCWLDDX₂₂NCYDRTDCVEX₂₃X₂₄X₂₅X₂₆PX₂₇VYF CCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS (SEQ ID NO: 4) GAILGRSETQECLFX₂NANWEX₄DRTNQTGVEX₇CX₈GX₉KDKRX₁₄HCX₁₅AT WX₁₆NISGSIEIVKX₁₈GCWLDDX₂₂NCYDRTDCVEX₂₃KX₂₅X₂₆PX₂₇VYFCC CEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS (SEQ ID NO: 5) GAILGRSETQECLFX₂NANWEX₄DRTNQTGVEPCX₈GX₉KDKRX₁₄HCFATWK NISGSIEIVKX₁₈GCWLDDINCYDRTDCVEX₂₃KX₂₅X₂₆PX₂₇VYFCCCEGNM CNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS X₁ F or Y X₁₅ F or Y X₂ F or Y X₁₆ K, R, or A X₃ E or A X₁₇ K, A, Y, F, or I X₄ K or L X₁₈ Q or K X₅ D or E X₁₉ W or A X₆ R or A X₂₀ L or A X₇ P or R X₂₁ D, K, R, A, F, G, M, N, or I X₈ Y or E X₂₂ I, F, or A X₉ D or E X₂₃ K or T X₁₀ K or Q X₂₄ K or E (SEQ ID NO: 1) GAILGRSETQECLX₁X₂NANWX₃X₄X₅X₆TNQTGVEX₇CX₈GX₉X₁₀X₁₁X₁₂X₁₃ X₁₄HCX₁₅ATWX₁₆NISGSIEIVX₁₇X₁₈GCX₁₉X₂₀X₂₁DX₂₂NCYDRTDCVEX₂₃ X₂₄X₂₅X₂₆PX₂₇VYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS (SEQ ID NO: 2) GAILGRSETQECLFX₂NANWX₃X₄X₅X₆TNQTGVEX₇CX₈GX₉KX₁₁X₁₂X₁₃X₁₄ HCX₁₅ATWX₁₆NISGSIEIVX₁₇X₁₈GCX₁₉X₂₀X₂₁DX₂₂NCYDRTDCVEX₂₃X₂₄ X₂₅X₂₆PX₂₇VYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS (SEQ ID NO: 3) GAILGRSETQECLFX₂NANWEX₄X₅RTNQTGVEX₇CX₈GX₉KDKRX₁₄HCX₁₅A TWX₁₆NISGSIEIVKX₁₈GCWLDDX₂₂NCYDRTDCVEX₂₃X₂₄X₂₅X₂₆PX₂₇VYF CCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS (SEQ ID NO: 4) GAILGRSETQECLFX₂NANWEX₄DRTNQTGVEX₇CX₈GX₉KDKRX₁₄HCX₁₅AT WX₁₆NISGSIEIVKX₁₈GCWLDDX₂₂NCYDRTDCVEX₂₃KX₂₅X₂₆PX₂₇VYFCC CEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS (SEQ ID NO: 5) GAILGRSETQECLFX₂NANWEX₄DRTNQTGVEPCX₈GX₉KDKRX₁₄HCFATWK NISGSIEIVKX₁₈GCWLDDINCYDRTDCVEX₂₃KX₂₅X₂₆PX₂₇VYFCCCEGNM CNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS X₁₁ D or A X₂₅ D or E X₁₂ K or A X₂₆ S or N X₁₃ R or A X₂₇ E or Q X₁₄ R or L

In some embodiments of the extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, X₃ is E, X₆ is R, X₁₁ is D, X₁₂ is K, X₁₃ is R, X₁₆ is K or R, X₁₇ is K, X₁₃ is W, X₂₀ is L, X₂₁ is D, and X₂₂ is I or F. In some embodiments of the extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2, X₁₇ is K. In some embodiments of the extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3, X₁₇ is K, X₂₃ is T, X₂₄ is E, X₂₅ is E, and X₂₆ is N. In some embodiments of the extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-5, X₁₇ is K, X₂₃ is T, X₂₄ is K, X₂₅ is E, and X₂₆ is N.

In some embodiments, a polypeptide described herein includes an extracellular ActRIIA variant having a sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6-72 (Table 2).

TABLE 2 Extracellular ActRIIA variants having the sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 6-72 SEQ ID NO Amino Acid Sequence  6 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS  7 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS  8 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS  9 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCYATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 10 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCFATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 11 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 12 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 13 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 14 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCYATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 15 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCFATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 16 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 17 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 18 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCYATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 19 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCFATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 20 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 21 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 22 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCYATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 23 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCYATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 24 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCYATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 25 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCFATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 26 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCFATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 27 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 28 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCYATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 29 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCFATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 30 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 31 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 32 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCYATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 33 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCYATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 34 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCYATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 35 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCFATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 36 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCFATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 37 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 38 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCYATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 39 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCYATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 40 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCYATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 41 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCFATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 42 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCFATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 43 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 44 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCYATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 45 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCYATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 46 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCYATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 47 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCFATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 48 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCYATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 49 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCYATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 50 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCYATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 51 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCFATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 52 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCFATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 53 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 54 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCYATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 55 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCYATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 56 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCYATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 57 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCFATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 58 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCYATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 59 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCYATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 60 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCYATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 61 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCFATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 62 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCYATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 63 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCYATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETKENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 64 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCYATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 65 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCYATWKNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 66 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCFATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 67 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELDRTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCYATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 68 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVEPCEGEKDKRLHCYATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 69 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCYATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 70 GAILGRSETQECLYYNANWELERTNQTGVERCEGEQDKRLHCYATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 71 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCYATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTSNP 72 GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCYATWRNISGSIEIVKKGCWL DDFNCYDRTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTSNPVTPK

In some embodiments, a polypeptide of the invention including an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) has amino acid K at position X₁₇. Altering the amino acid at position X₁₇ can result in reduced activity. For example, an ActRIIA variant having the sequence

GAILGRSETQECLFYNANWELERTNQTGVERCEGEKDKRLHCYATWRNISGSIEIVAKGCWLDDFNCYD RTDCVETEENPQVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS (SEQ ID NO: 150) has reduced activity in vivo, indicating that the substitution of A for K at X₁₇ is not tolerated.

In some embodiments, a polypeptide of the invention including an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) with the sequence TEEN at positions X₂₃, X₂₄, X₂₅, and X₂₆ can have a substitution of the amino acid K for the amino acid E at position X₂₄. In some embodiments, a polypeptide of the invention including an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) with the sequence TKEN at positions X₂₃, X₂₄, X₂₅, and X₂₆ can have a substitution of the amino acid E for the amino acid K at position X₂₄. Polypeptides having the sequence TEEN or TKEN at positions X₂₃, X₂₄, X₂₅, and X₂₆ have reduced or weak binding to BMP9 (e.g., reduced binding to BMP9 compared to BMP9 binding of wild-type ActRIIA).

In some embodiments, a polypeptide of the invention including an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-70 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-70)) may further include a C-terminal extension (e.g., additional amino acids at the C-terminus). In some embodiments, the C-terminal extension is amino acid sequence NP. For example, a sequence including the C-terminal extension NP is SEQ ID NO: 71 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 69 with a C-terminal extension of NP). In some embodiments, the C-terminal extension is amino acid sequence NPVTPK (SEQ ID NO: 155). For example, a sequence including the C-terminal extension NPVTPK is SEQ ID NO: 72 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 69 with a C-terminal extension of NPVTPK). The C-terminal extension can add one to six additional amino acids at the C-terminus (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more additional amino acids).

In some embodiments, a polypeptide of the invention including an extracellular ActRIIA variant may further include a moiety (e.g., Fc domain monomer, a wild-type Fc domain, an Fc domain with amino acid substitutions (e.g., one or more substitutions that reduce dimerization), an albumin-binding peptide, a fibronectin domain, or a human serum albumin), which may be fused to the N- or C-terminus (e.g., C-terminus) of the extracellular ActRIIA variant by way of a linker or other covalent bonds. A polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant fused to an Fc domain monomer may form a dimer (e.g., homodimer or heterodimer) through the interaction between two Fc domain monomers, which combine to form an Fc domain in the dimer.

In some embodiments, an extracellular ActRIIA variant described herein does not have the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 76-96 shown in Table 3 below.

TABLE 3 Excluded Extracellular ActRIIA Variants. SEQ ID NO Amino Acid Sequence 76 GAILGRSETQECLFFNANWEKDRTNQTGVEPCYGDKDKRRHCFATWANISGSIEIVKQGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVEKKDSPEVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 77 GAILGRSETQECLFFNANWAKDRTNQTGVEPCYGDKDKRRHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKQGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVEKKDSPEVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 78 GAILGRSETQECLFFNANWEKDATNQTGVEPCYGDKDKRRHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKQGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVEKKDSPEVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 79 GAILGRSETQECLFFNANWEKDRTNQTGVEPCYGDKAKRRHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKQGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVEKKDSPEVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 80 GAILGRSETQECLFFNANWEKDRTNQTGVEPCYGDKDARRHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKQGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVEKKDSPEVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 81 GAILGRSETQECLFFNANWEKDRTNQTGVEPCYGDKDKARHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKQGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVEKKDSPEVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 82 GAILGRSETQECLFFNANWEKDRTNQTGVEPCYGDKDKRRHCFATWKNISGSIEIVAQGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVEKKDSPEVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 83 GAILGRSETQECLFFNANWEKDRTNQTGVEPCYGDKDKRRHCFATWKNISGSIEIVYQGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVEKKDSPEVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 84 GAILGRSETQECLFFNANWEKDRTNQTGVEPCYGDKDKRRHCFATWKNISGSIEIVFQGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVEKKDSPEVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 85 GAILGRSETQECLFFNANWEKDRTNQTGVEPCYGDKDKRRHCFATWKNISGSIEIVIQGCWL DDINCYDRTDCVEKKDSPEVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 86 GAILGRSETQECLFFNANWEKDRTNQTGVEPCYGDKDKRRHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKQGCAL DDINCYDRTDCVEKKDSPEVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 87 GAILGRSETQECLFFNANWEKDRTNQTGVEPCYGDKDKRRHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKQGCWA DDINCYDRTDCVEKKDSPEVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 88 GAILGRSETQECLFFNANWEKDRTNQTGVEPCYGDKDKRRHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKQGCWL KDINCYDRTDCVEKKDSPEVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 89 GAILGRSETQECLFFNANWEKDRTNQTGVEPCYGDKDKRRHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKQGCWL RDINCYDRTDCVEKKDSPEVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 90 GAILGRSETQECLFFNANWEKDRTNQTGVEPCYGDKDKRRHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKQGCWL ADINCYDRTDCVEKKDSPEVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 91 GAILGRSETQECLFFNANWEKDRTNQTGVEPCYGDKDKRRHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKQGCWL FDINCYDRTDCVEKKDSPEVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 92 GAILGRSETQECLFFNANWEKDRTNQTGVEPCYGDKDKRRHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKQGCWL GDINCYDRTDCVEKKDSPEVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 93 GAILGRSETQECLFFNANWEKDRTNQTGVEPCYGDKDKRRHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKQGCWL MDINCYDRTDCVEKKDSPEVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 94 GAILGRSETQECLFFNANWEKDRTNQTGVEPCYGDKDKRRHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKQGCWL NDINCYDRTDCVEKKDSPEVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 95 GAILGRSETQECLFFNANWEKDRTNQTGVEPCYGDKDKRRHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKQGCWL IDINCYDRTDCVEKKDSPEVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS 96 GAILGRSETQECLFFNANWEKDRTNQTGVEPCYGDKDKRRHCFATWKNISGSIEIVKQGCWL DDANCYDRTDCVEKKDSPEVYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS

Furthermore, in some embodiments, a polypeptide described herein has a serum half-life of at least 7 days in humans. The polypeptide may bind to bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) with a K_(D) of 200 pM or higher. The polypeptide may bind to activin A with a K_(D) of 10 pM or higher. In some embodiments, the polypeptide does not bind to BMP9 or activin A. In some embodiments, the polypeptide binds to activin and/or myostatin and exhibits reduced (e.g., weak) binding to BMP9 (e.g., reduced BMP9 binding compared to BMP9 binding of wild-type ActRIIA). In some embodiments, the polypeptide that has reduced or weak binding to BMP9 has the sequence TEEN or TKEN at positions X₂₃, X₂₄, X₂₅, and X₂₆.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the polypeptide may bind to human BMP9 with a K_(D) of about 200 pM or higher (e.g., a K_(D) of about 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, or 900 pM or higher, e.g., a K_(D) of about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 nM or higher, e.g., a K_(D) of between about 200 pM and about 50 nM). In some embodiments, the polypeptide does not substantially bind to human BMP9. In some embodiments, the polypeptide may bind to human activin A with a K_(D) of about 800 pM or less (e.g., a K_(D) of about 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 pM or less, e.g., a K_(D) of between about 800 pM and about 200 pM). In some embodiments, the polypeptide may bind to human activin B with a K_(D) of 800 pM or less (e.g., a K_(D) of about 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 pM or less, e.g., a K_(D) of between about 800 pM and about 200 pM) The polypeptide may also bind to growth and differentiation factor 11 (GDF-11) with a K_(D) of approximately 5 pM or higher (e.g., a K_(D) of about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, 160, 165, 170, 175, 180, 185, 190, 195, or 200 pM or higher).

II. Fc Domains

In some embodiments, a polypeptide described herein may include an extracellular ActRIIA variant fused to an Fc domain monomer of an immunoglobulin or a fragment of an Fc domain to increase the serum half-life of the polypeptide. A polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant fused to an Fc domain monomer may form a dimer (e.g., homodimer or heterodimer) through the interaction between two Fc domain monomers, which form an Fc domain in the dimer. As conventionally known in the art, an Fc domain is the protein structure that is found at the C-terminus of an immunoglobulin. An Fc domain includes two Fc domain monomers that are dimerized by the interaction between the C_(H)3 antibody constant domains. A wild-type Fc domain forms the minimum structure that binds to an Fc receptor, e.g., FcγRI, FcγRIIa, FcγRIIb, FcγRIIIa, FcγRIIIb, FcγRIV. In some embodiments, an Fc domain may be mutated to lack effector functions, typical of a “dead” Fc domain. For example, an Fc domain may include specific amino acid substitutions that are known to minimize the interaction between the Fc domain and an Fcγ receptor. In some embodiments, an Fc domain is from an IgG1 antibody and includes amino acid substitutions L234A, L235A, and G237A. In some embodiments, an Fc domain is from an IgG1 antibody and includes amino acid substitutions D265A, K322A, and N434A. The aforementioned amino acid positions are defined according to Kabat (Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5th Ed. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. (1991)). The Kabat numbering of amino acid residues may be determined for a given antibody by alignment at regions of homology of the sequence of the antibody with a “standard” Kabat numbered sequence. Furthermore, in some embodiments, an Fc domain does not induce any immune system-related response. For example, the Fc domain in a dimer of a polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant fused to an Fc domain monomer may be modified to reduce the interaction or binding between the Fc domain and an Fcγ receptor. The sequence of an Fc domain monomer that may be fused to an extracellular ActRIIA variant is shown below (SEQ ID NO: 97):

THTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVS HEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQD WLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPVPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREE MTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDG PFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK

In some embodiments, an Fc domain is from an IgG1 antibody and includes amino acid substitutions L12A, L13A, and G15A, relative to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 97. In some embodiments, an Fc domain is from an IgG1 antibody and includes amino acid substitutions D43A, K100A, and N212A, relative to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 97. In some embodiments, an extracellular ActRIIA variant described herein (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) may be fused to the N- or C-terminus of an Fc domain monomer (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 97) through conventional genetic or chemical means, e.g., chemical conjugation. If desired, a linker (e.g., a spacer) can be inserted between the extracellular ActRIIA variant and the Fc domain monomer. The Fc domain monomer can be fused to the N- or C-terminus (e.g., C-terminus) of the extracellular ActRIIA variant.

In some embodiments, a polypeptide described herein may include an extracellular ActRIIA variant fused to an Fc domain. In some embodiments, the Fc domain contains one or more amino acid substitutions that reduce or inhibit Fc domain dimerization. In some embodiments, the Fc domain contains a hinge domain. The Fc domain can be of immunoglobulin antibody isotype IgG, IgE, IgM, IgA, or IgD. Additionally, the Fc domain can be an IgG subtype (e.g., IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG3, or IgG4). The Fc domain can also be a non-naturally occurring Fc domain, e.g., a recombinant Fc domain.

Methods of engineering Fc domains that have reduced dimerization are known in the art. In some embodiments, one or more amino acids with large side-chains (e.g., tyrosine or tryptophan) may be introduced to the C_(H)3-C_(H)3 dimer interface to hinder dimer formation due to steric clash. In other embodiments, one or more amino acids with small side-chains (e.g., alanine, valine, or threonine) may be introduced to the C_(H)3-C_(H)3 dimer interface to remove favorable interactions. Methods of introducing amino acids with large or small side-chains in the C_(H)3 domain are described in, e.g., Ying et al. (J Biol Chem. 287:19399-19408, 2012), U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0074225, U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,216,805 and 5,731,168, Ridgway et al. (Protein Eng. 9:617-612, 1996), Atwell et al. (J Mol Biol. 270:26-35, 1997), and Merchant et al. (Nat Biotechnol. 16:677-681, 1998), all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

In yet other embodiments, one or more amino acid residues in the C_(H)3 domain that make up the C_(H)3-C_(H)3 interface between two Fc domains are replaced with positively-charged amino acid residues (e.g., lysine, arginine, or histidine) or negatively-charged amino acid residues (e.g., aspartic acid or glutamic acid) such that the interaction becomes electrostatically unfavorable depending on the specific charged amino acids introduced. Methods of introducing charged amino acids in the C_(H)3 domain to disfavor or prevent dimer formation are described in, e.g., Ying et al. (J Biol Chem. 287:19399-19408, 2012), U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2006/0074225, 2012/0244578, and 2014/0024111, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

In some embodiments of the invention, an Fc domain includes one or more of the following amino acid substitutions: T366W, T366Y, T394W, F405W, Y349T, Y349E, Y349V, L351T, L351H, L351 N, L352K, P353S, S354D, D356K, D356R, D356S, E357K, E357R, E357Q, S364A, T366E, L368T, L368Y, L368E, K370E, K370D, K370Q, K392E, K392D, T394N, P395N, P396T, V397T, V397Q, L398T, D399K, D399R, D399N, F405T, F405H, F405R, Y407T, Y407H, Y4071, K409E, K409D, K409T, and K4091, relative to the sequence of human IgG1. In one particular embodiment, an Fc domain includes the amino acid substitution T366W, relative to the sequence of human IgG1. The sequence of wild-type Fc domain is shown in SEQ ID NO: 151.

III. Albumin-Binding Peptide

In some embodiments, a polypeptide described herein may include an extracellular ActRIIA variant fused to a serum protein-binding peptide. Binding to serum protein peptides can improve the pharmacokinetics of protein pharmaceuticals.

As one example, albumin-binding peptides that can be used in the methods and compositions described here are generally known in the art. In one embodiment, the albumin binding peptide includes the sequence DICLPRWGCLW (SEQ ID NO: 152).

In the present invention, albumin-binding peptides may be joined to the N- or C-terminus (e.g., C-terminus) of an extracellular ActRIIA variant described herein (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) to increase the serum half-life of the extracellular ActRIIA variant. In some embodiments, an albumin-binding peptide is joined, either directly or through a linker, to the N- or C-terminus of an extracellular ActRIIA variant.

In some embodiments, an extracellular ActRIIA variant described herein (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) may be fused to the N- or C-terminus of albumin-binding peptide (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 152) through conventional genetic or chemical means, e.g., chemical conjugation. If desired, a linker (e.g., a spacer) can be inserted between the extracellular ActRIIA variant and the albumin-binding peptide. Without being bound to a theory, it is expected that inclusion of an albumin-binding peptide in an extracellular ActRIIA variant described herein may lead to prolonged retention of the therapeutic protein through its binding to serum albumin.

IV. Fibronectin Domain

In some embodiments, a polypeptide described herein may include an extracellular ActRIIA variant fused to fibronectin domains. Binding to fibronectin domains can improve the pharmacokinetics of protein pharmaceuticals.

Fibronectin domain is a high molecular weight glycoprotein of the extracellular matrix, or a fragment thereof, that binds to, e.g., membrane-spanning receptor proteins such as integrins and extracellular matrix components such as collagens and fibrins. In some embodiments of the present invention, a fibronectin domain is joined to the N- or C-terminus (e.g., C-terminus) of an extracellular ActRIIA variant described herein (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) to increase the serum half-life of the extracellular ActRIIA variant. A fibronectin domain can be joined, either directly or through a linker, to the N- or C-terminus of an extracellular ActRIIA variant.

As one example, fibronectin domains that can be used in the methods and compositions described here are generally known in the art. In one embodiment, the fibronectin domain is a fibronectin type III domain (SEQ ID NO: 153) having amino acids 610-702 of the sequence of UniProt ID NO: P02751. In another embodiment, the fibronectin domain is an adnectin protein.

In some embodiments, an extracellular ActRIIA variant described herein (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) may be fused to the N- or C-terminus of a fibronectin domain (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 153) through conventional genetic or chemical means, e.g., chemical conjugation. If desired, a linker (e.g., a spacer) can be inserted between the extracellular ActRIIA variant and the fibronectin domain. Without being bound to a theory, it is expected that inclusion of a fibronectin domain in an extracellular ActRIIA variant described herein may lead to prolonged retention of the therapeutic protein through its binding to integrins and extracellular matrix components such as collagens and fibrins.

V. Serum Albumin

In some embodiments, a polypeptide described herein may include an extracellular ActRIIA variant fused to serum albumin. Binding to serum albumins can improve the pharmacokinetics of protein pharmaceuticals.

Serum albumin is a globular protein that is the most abundant blood protein in mammals. Serum albumin is produced in the liver and constitutes about half of the blood serum proteins. It is monomeric and soluble in the blood. Some of the most crucial functions of serum albumin include transporting hormones, fatty acids, and other proteins in the body, buffering pH, and maintaining osmotic pressure needed for proper distribution of bodily fluids between blood vessels and body tissues. In preferred embodiments, serum albumin is human serum albumin. In some embodiments of the present invention, a human serum albumin is joined to the N- or C-terminus (e.g., C-terminus) of an extracellular ActRIIA variant described herein (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) to increase the serum half-life of the extracellular ActRIIA variant. A human serum albumin can be joined, either directly or through a linker, to the N- or C-terminus of an extracellular ActRIIA variant.

As one example, serum albumins that can be used in the methods and compositions described herein are generally known in the art. In one embodiment, the serum albumin includes the sequence of UniProt ID NO: P02768 (SEQ ID NO: 154).

In some embodiments, an extracellular ActRIIA variant described herein (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) may be fused to the N- or C-terminus of a human serum albumin (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 154) through conventional genetic or chemical means, e.g., chemical conjugation. If desired, a linker (e.g., a spacer) can be inserted between the extracellular ActRIIA variant and the human serum albumin. Without being bound to a theory, it is expected that inclusion of a human serum albumin in an extracellular ActRIIA variant described herein may lead to prolonged retention of the therapeutic protein.

VI. Linkers

A polypeptide described herein may include an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having a sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) fused to a moiety by way of a linker. In some embodiments, the moiety increases stability of the polypeptide. Exemplary moieties include an Fc domain monomer, a wild-type Fc domain, an Fc domain with amino acid substitutions (e.g., one or more substitutions that reduce dimerization), an albumin-binding peptide, a fibronectin domain, or a human serum albumin. In the present invention, a linker between a moiety (e.g., an Fc domain monomer (e.g., the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 97), a wild-type Fc domain (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 151), an Fc domain with amino acid substitutions (e.g., one or more substitutions that reduce dimerization), an albumin-binding peptide (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 152), a fibronectin domain (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 153), or a human serum albumin (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 154)) and an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)), can be an amino acid spacer including 1-200 amino acids. Suitable peptide spacers are known in the art, and include, for example, peptide linkers containing flexible amino acid residues such as glycine, alanine, and serine. In some embodiments, a spacer can contain motifs, e.g., multiple or repeating motifs, of GA, GS, GG, GGA, GGS, GGG, GGGA (SEQ ID NO: 98), GGGS (SEQ ID NO: 99), GGGG (SEQ ID NO: 100), GGGGA (SEQ ID NO: 101), GGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 102), GGGGG (SEQ ID NO: 103), GGAG (SEQ ID NO: 104), GGSG (SEQ ID NO: 105), AGGG (SEQ ID NO: 106), or SGGG (SEQ ID NO: 107). In some embodiments, a spacer can contain 2 to 12 amino acids including motifs of GA or GS, e.g., GA, GS, GAGA (SEQ ID NO: 108), GSGS (SEQ ID NO: 109), GAGAGA (SEQ ID NO: 110), GSGSGS (SEQ ID NO: 111), GAGAGAGA (SEQ ID NO: 112), GSGSGSGS (SEQ ID NO: 113), GAGAGAGAGA (SEQ ID NO: 114), GSGSGSGSGS (SEQ ID NO: 115), GAGAGAGAGAGA (SEQ ID NO: 116), and GSGSGSGSGSGS (SEQ ID NO: 117). In some embodiments, a spacer can contain 3 to 12 amino acids including motifs of GGA or GGS, e.g., GGA, GGS, GGAGGA (SEQ ID NO: 118), GGSGGS (SEQ ID NO: 119), GGAGGAGGA (SEQ ID NO: 120), GGSGGSGGS (SEQ ID NO: 121), GGAGGAGGAGGA (SEQ ID NO: 122), and GGSGGSGGSGGS (SEQ ID NO: 123). In yet some embodiments, a spacer can contain 4 to 12 amino acids including motifs of GGAG (SEQ ID NO: 104), GGSG (SEQ ID NO: 105), e.g., GGAG (SEQ ID NO: 104), GGSG (SEQ ID NO: 105), GGAGGGAG (SEQ ID NO: 124), GGSGGGSG (SEQ ID NO: 125), GGAGGGAGGGAG (SEQ ID NO: 126), and GGSGGGSGGGSG (SEQ ID NO: 127). In some embodiments, a spacer can contain motifs of GGGGA (SEQ ID NO: 101) or GGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 102), e.g., GGGGAGGGGAGGGGA (SEQ ID NO: 128) and GGGGSGGGGSGGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 129). In some embodiments of the invention, an amino acid spacer between a moiety (e.g., an Fc domain monomer, a wild-type Fc domain, an Fc domain with amino acid substitutions (e.g., one or more substitutions that reduce dimerization), an albumin-binding peptide, a fibronectin domain, or a human serum albumin) and an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) may be GGG, GGGA (SEQ ID NO: 98), GGGG (SEQ ID NO: 100), GGGAG (SEQ ID NO: 130), GGGAGG (SEQ ID NO: 131), or GGGAGGG (SEQ ID NO: 132).

In some embodiments, a spacer can also contain amino acids other than glycine, alanine, and serine, e.g., AAAL (SEQ ID NO: 133), AAAK (SEQ ID NO: 134), AAAR (SEQ ID NO: 135), EGKSSGSGSESKST (SEQ ID NO: 136), GSAGSAAGSGEF (SEQ ID NO: 137), AEAAAKEAAAKA (SEQ ID NO: 138), KESGSVSSEQLAQFRSLD (SEQ ID NO: 139), GENLYFQSGG (SEQ ID NO: 140), SACYCELS (SEQ ID NO: 141), RSIAT (SEQ ID NO: 142), RPACKIPNDLKQKVMNH (SEQ ID NO: 143), GGSAGGSGSGSSGGSSGASGTGTAGGTGSGSGTGSG (SEQ ID NO: 144), AAANSSIDLISVPVDSR (SEQ ID NO: 145), or GGSGGGSEGGGSEGGGSEGGGSEGGGSEGGGSGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 146). In some embodiments, a spacer can contain motifs, e.g., multiple or repeating motifs, of EAAAK (SEQ ID NO: 147). In some embodiments, a spacer can contain motifs, e.g., multiple or repeating motifs, of proline-rich sequences such as (XP)_(n), in which X may be any amino acid (e.g., A, K, or E) and n is from 1-5, and PAPAP (SEQ ID NO: 148).

The length of the peptide spacer and the amino acids used can be adjusted depending on the two protein involved and the degree of flexibility desired in the final protein fusion polypeptide. The length of the spacer can be adjusted to ensure proper protein folding and avoid aggregate formation.

VII. Vectors, Host Cells, and Protein Production

The polypeptides of the invention can be produced from a host cell. A host cell refers to a vehicle that includes the necessary cellular components, e.g., organelles, needed to express the polypeptides and fusion polypeptides described herein from their corresponding nucleic acids. The nucleic acids may be included in nucleic acid vectors that can be introduced into the host cell by conventional techniques known in the art (e.g., transformation, transfection, electroporation, calcium phosphate precipitation, direct microinjection, infection, or the like). The choice of nucleic acid vectors depends in part on the host cells to be used. Generally, preferred host cells are of either eukaryotic (e.g., mammalian) or prokaryotic (e.g., bacterial) origin.

Nucleic Acid Vector Construction and Host Cells

A nucleic acid sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide of the invention may be prepared by a variety of methods known in the art. These methods include, but are not limited to, oligonucleotide-mediated (or site-directed) mutagenesis and PCR mutagenesis. A nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide of the invention may be obtained using standard techniques, e.g., gene synthesis. Alternatively, a nucleic acid molecule encoding a wild-type extracellular ActRIIA may be mutated to include specific amino acid substitutions using standard techniques in the art, e.g., QuikChange™ mutagenesis. Nucleic acid molecules can be synthesized using a nucleotide synthesizer or PCR techniques.

A nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide of the invention may be inserted into a vector capable of replicating and expressing the nucleic acid molecule in prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cells. Many vectors are available in the art and can be used for the purpose of the invention. Each vector may include various components that may be adjusted and optimized for compatibility with the particular host cell. For example, the vector components may include, but are not limited to, an origin of replication, a selection marker gene, a promoter, a ribosome binding site, a signal sequence, the nucleic acid sequence encoding protein of interest, and a transcription termination sequence.

In some embodiments, mammalian cells may be used as host cells for the invention. Examples of mammalian cell types include, but are not limited to, human embryonic kidney (HEK) (e.g., HEK293, HEK 293F), Chinese hamster ovary (CHO), HeLa, COS, PC3, Vero, MC3T3, NS0, Sp2/0, VERY, BHK, MDCK, W138, BT483, Hs578T, HTB2, BT20, T47D, NS0 (a murine myeloma cell line that does not endogenously produce any immunoglobulin chains), CRL7O3O, and HsS78Bst cells. In some embodiments, E. coli cells may also be used as host cells for the invention. Examples of E. coli strains include, but are not limited to, E. coli 294 (ATCC® 31,446), E. coli λ 1776 (ATCC® 31,537, E. coli BL21 (DE3) (ATCC® BAA-1025), and E. coli RV308 (ATCC® 31,608). Different host cells have characteristic and specific mechanisms for the posttranslational processing and modification of protein products (e.g., glycosylation). Appropriate cell lines or host systems may be chosen to ensure the correct modification and processing of the polypeptide expressed. The above-described expression vectors may be introduced into appropriate host cells using conventional techniques in the art, e.g., transformation, transfection, electroporation, calcium phosphate precipitation, and direct microinjection. Once the vectors are introduced into host cells for protein production, host cells are cultured in conventional nutrient media modified as appropriate for inducing promoters, selecting transformants, or amplifying the genes encoding the desired sequences. Methods for expression of therapeutic proteins are known in the art, see, for example, Paulina Balbas, Argelia Lorence (eds.) Recombinant Gene Expression: Reviews and Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology), Humana Press; 2nd ed. 2004 and Vladimir Voynov and Justin A. Caravella (eds.) Therapeutic Proteins: Methods and Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology) Humana Press; 2nd ed. 2012.

Protein Production, Recovery, and Purification

Host cells used to produce the polypeptides of the invention may be grown in media known in the art and suitable for culturing of the selected host cells. Examples of suitable media for mammalian host cells include Minimal Essential Medium (MEM), Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM), Expi293™ Expression Medium, DMEM with supplemented fetal bovine serum (FBS), and RPMI-1640. Examples of suitable media for bacterial host cells include Luria broth (LB) plus necessary supplements, such as a selection agent, e.g., ampicillin. Host cells are cultured at suitable temperatures, such as from about 20° C. to about 39° C., e.g., from 25° C. to about 37° C., preferably 37° C., and CO₂ levels, such as 5 to 10%. The pH of the medium is generally from about 6.8 to 7.4, e.g., 7.0, depending mainly on the host organism. If an inducible promoter is used in the expression vector of the invention, protein expression is induced under conditions suitable for the activation of the promoter.

In some embodiments, depending on the expression vector and the host cells used, the expressed protein may be secreted from the host cells (e.g., mammalian host cells) into the cell culture media. Protein recovery may involve filtering the cell culture media to remove cell debris. The proteins may be further purified. A polypeptide of the invention may be purified by any method known in the art of protein purification, for example, by chromatography (e.g., ion exchange, affinity, and size-exclusion column chromatography), centrifugation, differential solubility, or by any other standard technique for the purification of proteins. For example, the protein can be isolated and purified by appropriately selecting and combining affinity columns such as Protein A column (e.g., POROS Protein A chromatography) with chromatography columns (e.g., POROS HS-50 cation exchange chromatography), filtration, ultra filtration, salting-out and dialysis procedures.

In other embodiments, host cells may be disrupted, e.g., by osmotic shock, sonication, or lysis, to recover the expressed protein. Once the cells are disrupted, cell debris may be removed by centrifugation or filtration. In some instances, a polypeptide can be conjugated to marker sequences, such as a peptide to facilitate purification. An example of a marker amino acid sequence is a hexa-histidine peptide (His-tag), which binds to nickel-functionalized agarose affinity column with micromolar affinity. Other peptide tags useful for purification include, but are not limited to, the hemagglutinin “HA” tag, which corresponds to an epitope derived from influenza hemagglutinin protein (Wilson et al., Cell 37:767, 1984).

Alternatively, the polypeptides of the invention can be produced by the cells of a subject (e.g., a human), e.g., in the context of gene therapy, by administrating a vector (such as a viral vector (e.g., a retroviral vector, adenoviral vector, poxviral vector (e.g., vaccinia viral vector, such as Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA)), adeno-associated viral vector, and alphaviral vector)) containing a nucleic acid molecule encoding the polypeptide of the invention. The vector, once inside a cell of the subject (e.g., by transformation, transfection, electroporation, calcium phosphate precipitation, direct microinjection, infection, etc.) will promote expression of the polypeptide, which is then secreted from the cell. If treatment of a disease or disorder is the desired outcome, no further action may be required. If collection of the protein is desired, blood may be collected from the subject and the protein purified from the blood by methods known in the art.

VIII. Pharmaceutical Compositions and Preparations

The invention features pharmaceutical compositions that include the polypeptides described herein (e.g., a polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)). In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition of the invention includes a polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-70 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-70)) with a C-terminal extension (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more additional amino acids) as the therapeutic protein. In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition of the invention includes a polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) fused to a moiety (e.g., Fc domain monomer, or a dimer thereof, a wild-type Fc domain, an Fc domain with amino acid substitutions (e.g., one or more substitutions that reduce dimerization), an albumin-binding peptide, a fibronectin domain, or a human serum albumin) as the therapeutic protein. In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition of the invention including a polypeptide of the invention may be used in combination with other agents (e.g., therapeutic biologics and/or small molecules) or compositions in a therapy. In addition to a therapeutically effective amount of the polypeptide, the pharmaceutical composition may include one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients, which can be formulated by methods known to those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition of the invention includes a nucleic acid molecule (DNA or RNA, e.g., mRNA) encoding a polypeptide of the invention, or a vector containing such a nucleic acid molecule.

Acceptable carriers and excipients in the pharmaceutical compositions are nontoxic to recipients at the dosages and concentrations employed. Acceptable carriers and excipients may include buffers such as phosphate, citrate, HEPES, and TAE, antioxidants such as ascorbic acid and methionine, preservatives such as hexamethonium chloride, octadecyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, resorcinol, and benzalkonium chloride, proteins such as human serum albumin, gelatin, dextran, and immunoglobulins, hydrophilic polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, amino acids such as glycine, glutamine, histidine, and lysine, and carbohydrates such as glucose, mannose, sucrose, and sorbitol. Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can be administered parenterally in the form of an injectable formulation. Pharmaceutical compositions for injection can be formulated using a sterile solution or any pharmaceutically acceptable liquid as a vehicle. Pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles include, but are not limited to, sterile water, physiological saline, and cell culture media (e.g., Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM), α-Modified Eagles Medium (α-MEM), F-12 medium). Formulation methods are known in the art, see e.g., Banga (ed.) Therapeutic Peptides and Proteins: Formulation, Processing and Delivery Systems (3rd ed.) Taylor & Francis Group, CRC Press (2015).

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may be prepared in microcapsules, such as hydroxylmethylcellulose or gelatin-microcapsule and poly-(methylmethacrylate) microcapsule. The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may also be prepared in other drug delivery systems such as liposomes, albumin microspheres, microemulsions, nano-particles, and nanocapsules. Such techniques are described in Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy 22^(th) edition (2012). The pharmaceutical compositions to be used for in vivo administration must be sterile. This is readily accomplished by filtration through sterile filtration membranes.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may also be prepared as a sustained-release formulation. Suitable examples of sustained-release preparations include semipermeable matrices of solid hydrophobic polymers containing the polypeptides of the invention. Examples of sustained release matrices include polyesters, hydrogels, polyactides, copolymers of L-glutamic acid and γ ethyl-L-glutamate, non-degradable ethylene-vinyl acetate, degradable lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymers such as LUPRON DEPOT™, and poly-D-(−)-3-hydroxybutyric acid. Some sustained-release formulations enable release of molecules over a few months, e.g., one to six months, while other formulations release pharmaceutical compositions of the invention for shorter time periods, e.g., days to weeks.

The pharmaceutical composition may be formed in a unit dose form as needed. The amount of active component, e.g., a polypeptide of the invention, included in the pharmaceutical preparations is such that a suitable dose within the designated range is provided (e.g., a dose within the range of 0.01-100 mg/kg of body weight).

The pharmaceutical composition for gene therapy can be in an acceptable diluent, or can include a slow release matrix in which the gene delivery vehicle is imbedded. If hydrodynamic injection is used as the delivery method, the pharmaceutical composition containing a nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide described herein or a vector (e.g., a viral vector) containing the nucleic acid molecule is delivered rapidly in a large fluid volume intravenously. Vectors that may be used as in vivo gene delivery vehicle include, but are not limited to, retroviral vectors, adenoviral vectors, poxviral vectors (e.g., vaccinia viral vectors, such as Modified Vaccinia Ankara), adeno-associated viral vectors, and alphaviral vectors.

IX. Routes, Dosage, and Administration

Pharmaceutical compositions that include the polypeptides of the invention as the therapeutic proteins may be formulated for, e.g., intravenous administration, parenteral administration, subcutaneous administration, intramuscular administration, intra-arterial administration, intrathecal administration, or intraperitoneal administration. The pharmaceutical composition may also be formulated for, or administered via, oral, nasal, spray, aerosol, rectal, or vaginal administration. For injectable formulations, various effective pharmaceutical carriers are known in the art. See, e.g., ASHP Handbook on Injectable Drugs, Toissel, 18th ed. (2014).

In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition that includes a nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide of the invention or a vector containing such nucleic acid molecule may be administered by way of gene delivery. Methods of gene delivery are well-known to one of skill in the art. Vectors that may be used for in vivo gene delivery and expression include, but are not limited to, retroviral vectors, adenoviral vectors, poxviral vectors (e.g., vaccinia viral vectors, such as Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA)), adeno-associated viral vectors, and alphaviral vectors. In some embodiments, mRNA molecules encoding polypeptides of the invention may be administered directly to a subject.

In some embodiments of the present invention, nucleic acid molecules encoding a polypeptide described herein or vectors containing such nucleic acid molecules may be administered using a hydrodynamic injection platform. In the hydrodynamic injection method, a nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide described herein is put under the control of a strong promoter in an engineered plasmid (e.g., a viral plasmid). The plasmid is often delivered rapidly in a large fluid volume intravenously. Hydrodynamic injection uses controlled hydrodynamic pressure in veins to enhance cell permeability such that the elevated pressure from the rapid injection of the large fluid volume results in fluid and plasmid extravasation from the vein. The expression of the nucleic acid molecule is driven primarily by the liver. In mice, hydrodynamic injection is often performed by injection of the plasmid into the tail vein. In certain embodiments, mRNA molecules encoding a polypeptide described herein may be administered using hydrodynamic injection.

The dosage of the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention depends on factors including the route of administration, the disease to be treated, and physical characteristics, e.g., age, weight, general health, of the subject. A pharmaceutical composition of the invention may include a dosage of a polypeptide of the invention ranging from 0.01 to 500 mg/kg (e.g., 0.01, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, or 500 mg/kg) and, in a more specific embodiment, about 0.1 to about 30 mg/kg and, in a more specific embodiment, about 0.3 to about 30 mg/kg. The dosage may be adapted by the physician in accordance with conventional factors such as the extent of the disease and different parameters of the subject.

The pharmaceutical compositions are administered in a manner compatible with the dosage formulation and in such amount as is therapeutically effective to result in an improvement or remediation of the symptoms. The pharmaceutical compositions are administered in a variety of dosage forms, e.g., intravenous dosage forms, subcutaneous dosage forms, and oral dosage forms (e.g., ingestible solutions, drug release capsules). Generally, therapeutic proteins are dosed at 0.1-100 mg/kg, e.g., 1-50 mg/kg. Pharmaceutical compositions that include a polypeptide of the invention may be administered to a subject in need thereof, for example, one or more times (e.g., 1-10 times or more) daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, biannually, annually, or as medically necessary. In some embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions that include a polypeptide of the invention may be administered to a subject in need thereof weekly, biweekly, monthly, bimonthly, or quarterly. Dosages may be provided in either a single or multiple dosage regimens. The timing between administrations may decrease as the medical condition improves or increase as the health of the patient declines.

X. Methods of Treatment

The invention is based on the discovery that substituting amino acids from the extracellular portion of ActRIIB into the extracellular portion ActRIIA yields ActRIIA variants with improved properties. The ActRIIA variants generated by introducing residues from ActRIIB into ActRIIA retain the beneficial properties of ActRIIA, such as longer serum half-life and low binding affinity to BMP9, and gain some of the beneficial properties of ActRIIB, such as increased binding to activins A and B (see Table 5 in Example 1). These ActRIIA variant properties make for a useful therapeutic that can compete with endogenous activin receptors for ligand binding. As the ActRIIA variants contain the extracellular portion of the receptor, they will be soluble and able to bind to and sequester ligands (e.g., activins A and B, myostatin, GDF11) without activating intracellular signaling pathways. Therefore, the extracellular ActRIIA variants can be used to treat diseases or conditions in which elevated activin signaling has been implicated (e.g., associated with increased expression of activin receptors or activin receptor ligands). For example, loss of myostatin has been shown to reduce fibrosis, while increased myostatin or activin induces fibrosis. In another example, activin receptor ligand GDF11 is overexpressed in a mouse model of hemolytic anemia and associated with defects in red blood cell production. Additionally, activin A has been found to be elevated in clinical and experimental pulmonary hypertension. Without wishing to be bound by theory, a therapeutic agent that binds to activin receptor ligands (e.g., myostatin, activins, and/or GDF11) and reduces their interaction with endogenous activin receptors could be used to treat fibrosis, anemia, or PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH).

The invention provides compositions and methods of treatment that may be used to reduce fibrosis, prevent fibrosis, reduce the risk of developing fibrosis, slow or stop the progression of fibrosis, or reverse fibrosis in a subject in need thereof. The invention also provides compositions and methods of treatment that may be used to increase red blood cell levels (e.g., increase hemoglobin, increase hematocrit, or increase red blood cell count, e.g., increase red blood cell production and/or red cell mass) in a subject in need thereof. The invention further provides compositions and methods of treatment that may be used to treat PH, reduce PH (e.g., reduce the symptoms of PH, such as shortness of breath (dyspnea), fatigue, swelling (e.g., edema) of the legs, feet, belly (ascites), or neck, chest pain or pressure, racing pulse or heart palpitations, bluish color to lips or skin (cyanosis), dizziness, or fainting), or slow or stop the progression of PH in a subject in need thereof. The invention may treat or slow or stop the progression of any of the types of PH, such as PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH. In some embodiments, the subject may have a disease or condition associated with fibrosis (e.g., cirrhosis, pulmonary fibrosis, Crohn's disease, chronic kidney disease), a disease or condition associated with low red blood cell levels (e.g., anemia or blood loss), or a disease or condition associated with PH (e.g., a disease or condition associated with PAH, such as HIV infection, schistosomiasis, portal hypertension, pulmonary veno-occlusive disease, pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis, cirrhosis of the liver, congenital heart abnormalities, connective tissue/autoimmune disorders (e.g., scleroderma or lupus), or drug use or abuse (e.g., methamphetamine or cocaine use); a disease or condition associated with venous PH, such as left ventricular systolic dysfunction, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, valvular heart disease, congenital cardiomyopathy, or congenital/acquired pulmonary venous stenosis; a disease or condition associated with hypoxic PH, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (e.g., emphysema), interstitial lung disease, sleep-disordered breathing (e.g., sleep apnea), lung disease (e.g., pulmonary fibrosis), an alveolar hypoventilation disorder, chronic exposure to high altitude, or a developmental abnormality; a disease or condition associated with thromboembolic PH, such as chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, or other pulmonary artery obstructions (e.g., pulmonary emboli, angiosarcoma, arteritis, congenital pulmonary artery stenosis, or parasitic infection); or a disease or condition associated with miscellaneous PH, such as a hematologic disease (e.g., chronic hemolytic anemia, sickle cell disease), a systemic disease (e.g., sarcoidosis, pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis, lymphangioleiomyomatosis, neurofibromatosis, or vasculitis), a metabolic disorder (e.g., glycogen storage disease, Gaucher disease, or thyroid diseases), pulmonary tumoral thrombotic microangiopathy, fibrosing mediastinitis, chronic kidney failure, or segmental pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary hypertension restricted to one or more lobes of the lungs). In some embodiments, the methods described herein are directed to affecting myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 signaling in a subject having a disease or condition involving fibrosis, low red blood cell levels, or PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH). In some embodiments, a polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant described herein reduces or inhibits the binding of myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 to their endogenous receptors, e.g., ActRIIA, ActRIIB, and BMPRII (e.g., ActRIIA). In some embodiments, affecting myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 signaling (e.g., reducing or inhibiting the binding of myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 to their receptors, e.g., ActRIIA, ActRIIB, and BMPRII (e.g., ActRIIA)) results in a reduction in fibrosis, a reduction in the risk of developing fibrosis, a delay in the development of fibrosis, a reduction (e.g., slowing or inhibiting) in the progression of fibrosis, a reversal of fibrosis, an increase in red blood cells (e.g., an increase in hemoglobin, hematocrit, or red blood cell count, e.g., an increase in red blood cell production and/or red cell mass), a reduction in the symptoms of PH (e.g., a reduction in shortness of breath (dyspnea), fatigue, swelling (e.g., edema) of the legs, feet, belly (ascites), or neck, chest pain or pressure, racing pulse or heart palpitations, bluish color to lips or skin (cyanosis), dizziness, or fainting), a reduction in the risk of developing PH, a delay in the development of PH, or a reduction (e.g., slowing or inhibiting) in the progression of PH. The PH can be PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH.

The compositions and methods described herein can be used to treat and/or prevent (e.g., prevent the development of or treat a subject diagnosed with) medical conditions, e.g., low red blood cell levels (e.g., low hemoglobin levels or low red blood cell count), fibrosis, or PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH). In some embodiments, the polypeptides described herein (e.g., a polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)), e.g., an effective amount of an ActRIIA variant) may be administered to increase red blood cell levels (e.g., increase hemoglobin levels, increase hematocrit, increase red blood cell count, increase red cell mass, or increase red blood cell formation) in a subject in need thereof. The polypeptides described herein may increase red blood cell levels (e.g., increase hemoglobin levels, red blood cell count, hematocrit, red cell mass, or red blood cell formation) compared to measurements obtained prior to treatment. In some embodiments, the subject may have a disease or condition associated with low red blood cell levels (e.g., anemia or blood loss). In some embodiments, the subject may have or be at risk of developing anemia or blood loss (e.g., the subject may be at risk of developing anemia due to other diseases or conditions, such as chronic kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, or inflammatory diseases (e.g., Crohn's disease, SLE, or ulcerative colitis), or due to medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery). In some embodiments, the methods described herein are directed to affecting myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 signaling (e.g., reducing or inhibiting the binding of activin, myostatin, and/or BMP9 to their endogenous receptors) in a subject having a disease or condition involving low red blood cell levels (e.g., anemia or blood loss).

In some embodiments, the polypeptides described herein (e.g., a polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)), e.g., an effective amount of an ActRIIA variant) may be administered to prevent or reduce fibrosis in a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the polypeptides described herein may be administered to slow or stop the progression of fibrosis, to reduce the risk of developing fibrosis, to reduce (e.g., reduce the frequency or severity of) one or more symptom of fibrosis, or to reverse fibrosis. The polypeptides described herein may reduce fibrosis or slow or reverse the progression of fibrosis compared to the progression of fibrosis prior to treatment or compared to the progression of fibrosis in untreated subjects. In some embodiments, the subject may have or be at risk of developing fibrosis (e.g., the subject may have a disease or condition associated with fibrosis, such as a wound, hepatitis B or C, fatty liver disease, kidney disease (e.g., chronic kidney disease), heart disease, or atherosclerosis, or may be undergoing treatment associated with the development of fibrosis, such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery). In some embodiments, the polypeptides described herein prevent, delay, or attenuate the development of fibrosis in a subject at risk of developing fibrosis (e.g., a subject being treated with chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, or a subject having a disease or condition associated with fibrosis, such as a wound, hepatitis B or C, fatty liver disease, kidney disease (e.g., chronic kidney disease), heart disease, or atherosclerosis). In some embodiments, the methods described herein are directed to affecting myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 signaling (e.g., reducing or inhibiting the binding of activin, myostatin, and/or BMP9 to their endogenous receptors) in a subject having fibrosis or a disease or condition associated with fibrosis.

In some embodiments, the polypeptides described herein (e.g., a polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)), e.g., an effective amount of an ActRIIA variant) may be administered to treat PH, reduce PH (e.g., reduce the severity or frequency of one or more symptoms of PH, such as shortness of breath (dyspnea), fatigue, swelling (e.g., edema) of the legs, feet, belly (ascites), or neck, chest pain or pressure, racing pulse or heart palpitations, bluish color to lips or skin (cyanosis), dizziness, or fainting), or prevent (e.g., prevent the development of) PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH) in a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the polypeptides described herein may be administered to slow or stop the progression of PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH), or to reduce the risk of developing PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH). The polypeptides described herein may reduce the symptoms of PH (e.g., reduce the severity or frequency of one or more symptoms, such as shortness of breath (dyspnea), fatigue, swelling (e.g., edema) of the legs, feet, belly (ascites), or neck, chest pain or pressure, racing pulse or heart palpitations, bluish color to lips or skin (cyanosis), dizziness, or fainting) or slow the progression of PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH) compared to the symptoms or progression observed prior to treatment or compared to symptoms or progression of PH in untreated subjects. In some embodiments, the subject may have or be at risk of developing PH (e.g., the subject may have idiopathic PAH; the subject may have a disease or condition associated with PAH (e.g., a disease or condition that leads to increased risk of developing PAH), such as HIV infection, schistosomiasis, portal hypertension, pulmonary veno-occlusive disease, pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis, cirrhosis of the liver, congenital heart abnormalities, connective tissue/autoimmune disorders (e.g., scleroderma or lupus), or drug use or abuse (e.g., methamphetamine or cocaine use); the subject may have a family history of PH (e.g., heritable PAH); the subject may have a disease or condition associated with venous PH (e.g., a disease or condition that leads to increased risk of developing venous PH), such as left ventricular systolic dysfunction, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, valvular heart disease, congenital cardiomyopathy, or congenital/acquired pulmonary venous stenosis; the subject may have a disease or condition associated with hypoxic PH (e.g., a disease or condition that leads to increased risk of developing hypoxic PH), such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (e.g., emphysema), interstitial lung disease, sleep-disordered breathing (e.g., sleep apnea), lung disease (e.g., pulmonary fibrosis), an alveolar hypoventilation disorder, chronic exposure to high altitude, or a developmental abnormality; the subject may have a disease or condition associated with thromboembolic PH (e.g., a disease or condition that leads to increased risk of developing thromboembolic PH), such as chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, or other pulmonary artery obstructions (e.g., pulmonary emboli, angiosarcoma, arteritis, congenital pulmonary artery stenosis, or parasitic infection); or the subject may have a disease or condition associated with miscellaneous PH (e.g., a disease or condition that leads to increased risk of developing miscellaneous PH), such as hematologic diseases (e.g., chronic hemolytic anemia, sickle cell disease), systemic diseases (e.g., sarcoidosis, pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis, lymphangioleiomyomatosis, neurofibromatosis, or vasculitis), metabolic disorders (e.g., glycogen storage disease, Gaucher disease, or thyroid diseases), pulmonary tumoral thrombotic microangiopathy, fibrosing mediastinitis, chronic kidney failure, or segmental pulmonary hypertension). In some embodiments, the polypeptides described herein prevent, delay, or attenuate the development of PH in a subject at risk of developing PH (e.g., a subject with a family history of PH (e.g., heritable PAH), or a subject having a disease or condition that leads to increased risk of developing PAH (e.g., HIV infection, schistosomiasis, cirrhosis of the liver, congenital heart abnormalities, connective tissue/autoimmune disorders (e.g., scleroderma or lupus), or drug use or abuse (e.g., methamphetamine or cocaine use), venous PH (e.g., left ventricular systolic dysfunction, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, valvular heart disease, congenital cardiomyopathy, or congenital/acquired pulmonary venous stenosis), hypoxic PH (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (e.g., emphysema), interstitial lung disease, sleep-disordered breathing (e.g., sleep apnea), lung disease (e.g., pulmonary fibrosis), an alveolar hypoventilation disorder, chronic exposure to high altitude, or a developmental abnormality), thromboembolic PH (e.g., chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, or other pulmonary artery obstructions (e.g., pulmonary emboli, angiosarcoma, arteritis, congenital pulmonary artery stenosis, or parasitic infection)), or miscellaneous PH (e.g., a hematologic disease (e.g., chronic hemolytic anemia, sickle cell disease), a systemic disease (e.g., sarcoidosis, pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis, lymphangioleiomyomatosis, neurofibromatosis, or vasculitis), a metabolic disorder (e.g., glycogen storage disease, Gaucher disease, or thyroid diseases), pulmonary tumoral thrombotic microangiopathy, fibrosing mediastinitis, chronic kidney failure, or segmental pulmonary hypertension). In some embodiments, the methods described herein are directed to affecting myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 signaling (e.g., reducing or inhibiting the binding of activin, myostatin, and/or BMP9 to their endogenous receptors) in a subject having PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH) or a disease or condition associated with PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH).

In some embodiments, a polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant described herein reduces or inhibits the binding of myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 to their endogenous receptors, e.g., ActRIIA, ActRIIB, and BMPRII (e.g., ActRIIA). The polypeptides described herein may reduce the binding of myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 to their endogenous receptors compared to the binding of myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 to their endogenous receptors in the absence of the polypeptides of the invention. In some embodiments, affecting myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 signaling (e.g., reducing or inhibiting the binding of myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 to their endogenous receptors, e.g., ActRIIA, ActRIIB, and BMPRII (e.g., ActRIIA)) results in an increase in the subject's red blood cell levels (e.g., hemoglobin levels, hematocrit levels, or red blood cell counts, e.g., induces or increases red blood cell formation and/or red cell mass), a reduction in the subject's fibrosis or risk of developing fibrosis, a delay in the development of fibrosis, a slowing or stopping of the progression of fibrosis, a reversal of fibrosis, a reduction in the subject's symptoms of PH (e.g., a reduction in symptoms such as shortness of breath (dyspnea), fatigue, swelling (e.g., edema) of the legs, feet, belly (ascites), or neck, chest pain or pressure, racing pulse or heart palpitations, bluish color to lips or skin (cyanosis), dizziness, or fainting), a reduction in the subject's risk of developing PH, a delay in the development of PH, and/or a slowing or stopping of the progression of PH. The PH can be PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH.

In some embodiments, the polypeptides described herein (e.g., a polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)), e.g., an effective amount of an ActRIIA variant) may be administered to a subject to increase red blood cell levels (e.g., to increase hemoglobin levels, increase hematocrit, increase red blood cell count, increase red cell mass, or induce or increase red blood cell formation), to prevent or reduce fibrosis (e.g., to reduce fibrosis, to prevent, delay, or attenuate the development of fibrosis, to slow or stop the progression of fibrosis, or to reverse fibrosis), to prevent or treat PH (e.g., to reduce symptoms of PH, to prevent, delay, or attenuate the development of PH, or to slow or stop the progression of PH, such as PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH), or to affect myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 signaling in the subject. The extracellular ActRIIA variants (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)), e.g., an effective amount of an ActRIIA variant) may increase red blood cell levels, prevent or reduce fibrosis, or prevent or treat PH compared to measurements obtained prior to treatment or compared to measurements obtained from untreated subjects having the same disease or condition. In some embodiments, the methods described herein do not cause any vascular complications in the subject, such as increased vascular permeability or leakage. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the subject has or is at risk of developing a disease or condition involving low red blood cell levels (e.g., anemia or blood loss, such as anemia associated with cancer (e.g., multiple myeloma, leukemia, breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer), cancer treatment (e.g., chemotherapy or radiation therapy), myelodysplastic syndrome, chronic or acute renal disease or failure (e.g., chronic kidney disease), inflammatory or auto-immune disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, SLE), or surgery). In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the subject has or is at risk of developing a disease or condition involving fibrosis (e.g., chemotherapeutic drug-induced fibrosis, radiation-induced fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, hepatic fibrosis (e.g., cirrhosis), renal fibrosis (e.g., fibrosis related to chronic kidney disease), corneal fibrosis, heart fibrosis, osteoarticular fibrosis, tissue fibrosis, a tumor stroma, a desmoplastic tumor, a surgical adhesion, a hypertrophic scar, a keloid, or fibrosis associated with wounds, burns, hepatitis B or C infection, fatty liver disease, Schistosoma infection, kidney disease, heart disease, macular degeneration, retinal or vitreal retinopathy, systemic or local scleroderma, atherosclerosis, or restenosis). In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the subject has or is at risk of developing a disease or condition involving PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH, e.g., idiopathic PAH; heritable PAH; PAH associated with or caused by HIV infection, schistosomiasis, portal hypertension, pulmonary veno-occlusive disease, pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis, cirrhosis of the liver, congenital heart abnormalities, connective tissue/autoimmune disorders (e.g., scleroderma or lupus), or drug use or abuse (e.g., methamphetamine or cocaine use); venous PH associated with or caused by left ventricular systolic dysfunction, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, valvular heart disease, congenital cardiomyopathy, or congenital/acquired pulmonary venous stenosis; hypoxic PH associated with or caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (e.g., emphysema), interstitial lung disease, sleep-disordered breathing (e.g., sleep apnea), lung disease (e.g., pulmonary fibrosis), an alveolar hypoventilation disorder, chronic exposure to high altitude, or a developmental abnormality; thromboembolic PH associated with or caused by chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, or other pulmonary artery obstructions (e.g., pulmonary emboli, angiosarcoma, arteritis, congenital pulmonary artery stenosis, or parasitic infection); miscellaneous PH associated with or caused by a hematologic disease (e.g., chronic hemolytic anemia, sickle cell disease), a systemic disease (e.g., sarcoidosis, pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis, lymphangioleiomyomatosis, neurofibromatosis, or vasculitis), a metabolic disorder (e.g., glycogen storage disease, Gaucher disease, or thyroid diseases), pulmonary tumoral thrombotic microangiopathy, fibrosing mediastinitis, chronic kidney failure, or segmental pulmonary hypertension).

The invention also includes methods of treating a subject having or at risk of developing anemia, or blood loss by administering to the subject an effective amount of a polypeptide described herein (e.g., a polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)). In any of the methods described herein, a subject having or at risk of developing low red blood cell levels (e.g., low hemoglobin levels or low red blood cell counts, e.g., low red cell mass) has or is at risk of developing anemia or blood loss. In some embodiments, the anemia can be associated with or caused by nutritional deficits (e.g., vitamin deficiency), bone marrow defects (e.g., paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria), adverse reaction to medication (e.g., anti-retroviral HIV drugs), myelodysplastic syndrome, bone marrow transplantation, cancer (e.g., solid tumors, such as breast cancer, lung cancer, or colon cancer; tumors of the lymphatic system, such as chronic lymphocyte leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma; or tumors of the hematopoietic system, such as leukemia or multiple myeloma), cancer treatment (e.g., radiation or chemotherapy, e.g., chemotherapy with platinum-containing agents), inflammatory or autoimmune disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, other inflammatory arthritides, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), acute or chronic skin diseases (e.g. psoriasis), or inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), cystitis, gastritis), acute or chronic renal disease or failure (e.g., chronic kidney disease) including idiopathic or congenital conditions, acute or chronic liver disease, diabetes, acute or chronic bleeding, infection (e.g., malaria, osteomyelitis), splenomegaly, porphyria, vasculitis, hemolysis, urinary tract infection, hemoglobinopathy (e.g., sickle cell disease), thalassemia, Churg-Strauss syndrome, Felty syndrome, graft versus host disease, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, osteomyelofibrosis, pancytopenia, pure red-cell aplasia, purpura Schoenlein-Henoch, Shwachman syndrome (e.g., Shwachman-Diamond syndrome), drug use or abuse (e.g., alcohol abuse), or contraindication to transfusion (e.g., patients of advanced age, patients with allo- or auto-antibodies, pediatric patients, patients with cardiopulmonary disease, patients who object to transfusion for religious reasons (e.g., some Jehovah's Witnesses)). In some embodiments, the anemia is aplastic anemia, iron deficiency anemia, vitamin deficiency anemia, anemia of chronic disease, anemia associated with bone marrow disease, hemolytic anemia, sickle cell anemia, microcytic anemia, hypochromic anemia, sideroblastic anemia, Diamond Blackfan anemia, Fanconi's anemia, or refractory anemia with excess of blasts. The compositions and methods described herein can also be used to treat subjects that do not respond well to erythropoietin (EPO) or that are susceptible to adverse effects of EPO (e.g., hypertension, headaches, vascular thrombosis, influenza-like syndrome, obstruction of shunts, and myocardial infarction). In some embodiments, the blood loss is due to surgery, trauma, a wound, an ulcer, urinary tract bleeding, digestive tract bleeding, frequent blood donation, or heavy menstrual bleeding (e.g., menorrhagia). In some embodiments, the methods described herein increase red blood cell levels (e.g., hemoglobin levels, hematocrit, or red blood cell counts, e.g., red cell mass) compared to measurements obtained prior to treatment. In some embodiments, the methods described herein increase or induce red blood cell formation compared to measurements obtained prior to treatment. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods described herein reduce the need of a subject for a blood transfusion (e.g., the subject no longer needs blood transfusions, or the subject needs less frequent blood transfusion than before treatment with the compositions and methods described herein). Subjects with normal red blood cell levels can also be treated using the methods and compositions described herein to increase red blood cell levels so that blood can be drawn and stored for later use in transfusions.

The invention also includes methods of treating a subject having or at risk of developing fibrosis by administering to the subject an effective amount of a polypeptide described herein (e.g., a polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)). In any of the methods described herein, the subject has or is at risk of developing fibrosis. In some embodiments, the fibrosis is chemotherapeutic drug-induced fibrosis, radiation-induced fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis (e.g., cystic fibrosis, idiopathic fibrosis, or fibrosis related to tuberculosis, pneumonia, or coal dust), hepatic fibrosis (e.g., cirrhosis, biliary atresia), renal fibrosis (e.g., fibrosis related to chronic kidney disease), corneal fibrosis, heart fibrosis (e.g., endomyocardial fibrosis, or fibrosis related to myocardial infarction), bone marrow fibrosis, mediastinal fibrosis, retroperitoneal fibrosis, osteoarticular fibrosis, arthrofibrosis, tissue fibrosis (e.g., fibrosis affecting muscle tissue, skin epidermis, skin dermis, tendon, cartilage, pancreatic tissue, uterine tissue, neural tissue, testis, ovary, adrenal gland, artery, vein, colon, small intestine, large intestine, biliary tract, or gut), a tumor stroma, a desmoplastic tumor, a surgical adhesion, a hypertrophic scar, or a keloid. In some embodiments, the fibrosis is associated with wounds, burns, hepatitis B or C infection, fatty liver disease, Schistosoma infection, kidney disease (e.g., chronic kidney disease), heart disease, macular degeneration, retinal or vitreal retinopathy, Crohn's disease, systemic or local scleroderma, atherosclerosis, or restenosis. In some embodiments, the subject is at risk of developing fibrosis related to cancer treatment (chemotherapy or radiation), disease or infection (e.g., tuberculosis, pneumonia, myocardial infarction, hepatitis B or C infection, fatty liver disease, Schistosoma infection, kidney disease (e.g., chronic kidney disease), heart disease, macular degeneration, retinal or vitreal retinopathy, Crohn's disease, systemic or local scleroderma, atherosclerosis, restenosis), surgery, a wound, or a burn. In some embodiments, the methods described herein reduce fibrosis compared to measurements obtained prior to treatment or compared to fibrosis in untreated subjects. In some embodiments, the methods described herein prevent the development of fibrosis, reduce the risk of developing fibrosis (e.g., reduce the risk of developing fibrosis compared to the development of fibrosis in untreated subjects), or reverse existing fibrosis. In some embodiments, the methods described herein slow, stop, or reverse the progression of fibrosis (e.g., slow the progression of fibrosis compared to progression prior to treatment or compared to progression without treatment or in an untreated subject). In some embodiments, the methods described herein improve organ or tissue function (e.g., the function of the organ or tissue having fibrosis) compared to organ or tissue function prior to treatment. Tissue and organ function can be assessed using any standard clinical test commonly used to evaluate tissue and organ function.

The invention also includes methods of treating a subject having or at risk of developing PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH) by administering to the subject an effective amount of a polypeptide described herein (e.g., a polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)). In any of the methods described herein, the subject may have or be at risk of developing PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH). In some embodiments, the PH is PAH. In some embodiments, the PAH is idiopathic PAH. In some embodiments, the PAH is heritable PAH. In some embodiments, the PAH is PAH related to (e.g., caused by or associated with) HIV infection, schistosomiasis, portal hypertension, pulmonary veno-occlusive disease, pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis, cirrhosis of the liver, congenital heart abnormalities, connective tissue/autoimmune disorders (e.g., scleroderma or lupus), or drug use or abuse (e.g., methamphetamine or cocaine use). In some embodiments, the PH is venous PH. In some embodiments, the venous PH is venous PH related to (e.g., caused by or associated with) left ventricular systolic dysfunction, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, valvular heart disease, congenital cardiomyopathy, or congenital/acquired pulmonary venous stenosis. In some embodiments, the PH is hypoxic PH. In some embodiments, the hypoxic PH is hypoxic PH related to (e.g., caused by or associated with) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (e.g., emphysema), interstitial lung disease, sleep-disordered breathing (e.g., sleep apnea), lung disease (e.g., pulmonary fibrosis), alveolar hypoventilation disorders, chronic exposure to high altitude, or developmental abnormalities. In some embodiments, the PH is thromboembolic PH. In some embodiments, the thromboembolic PH is thromboembolic PH related to (e.g., caused by or associated with) chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, or other pulmonary artery obstructions (e.g., pulmonary emboli, angiosarcoma, arteritis, congenital pulmonary artery stenosis, or parasitic infection). In some embodiments, the PH is miscellaneous PH. In some embodiments, the miscellaneous PH is miscellaneous PH related to (e.g., caused by or associated with) a hematologic disease (e.g., chronic hemolytic anemia, sickle cell disease), a systemic disease (e.g., sarcoidosis, pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis, lymphangioleiomyomatosis, neurofibromatosis, or vasculitis), a metabolic disorder (e.g., glycogen storage disease, Gaucher disease, or thyroid diseases), pulmonary tumoral thrombotic microangiopathy, fibrosing mediastinitis, chronic kidney failure, or segmental pulmonary hypertension). In some embodiments, the methods described herein reduce the symptoms (e.g., reduce the severity or frequency of symptoms, such as shortness of breath (dyspnea), fatigue, swelling (e.g., edema) of the legs, feet, belly (ascites), or neck, chest pain or pressure, racing pulse or heart palpitations, bluish color to lips or skin (cyanosis), dizziness, or fainting) of PH compared to the frequency or severity of symptoms prior to treatment. In some embodiments, the methods described herein prevent the development of PH or reduce the risk of developing PH (e.g., reduce the risk of developing PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH) compared to the development of PH in untreated subjects). In some embodiments, the methods described herein slow or stop the progression of PH (e.g., slow the progression of PH (e.g., PAH, venous PH, hypoxic PH, thromboembolic PH, or miscellaneous PH) compared to progression prior to treatment or compared to progression without treatment or in an untreated subject). In some embodiments, the methods described herein reduce pulmonary vascular remodeling or vascular remodeling in the heart of a subject (e.g., the initiation or progression of vascular remodeling in the heart or lungs) compared to vascular remodeling prior to treatment or compared to vascular remodeling in an untreated subject. In some embodiments, the methods described herein reduce right ventricular (e.g., reduce right ventricular hypertrophy or the progression of right ventricular hypertrophy) compared to right ventricular hypertrophy prior to treatment or compared to right ventricular hypertrophy in an untreated subject. Symptoms of PH can be evaluated before and after treatment using standard clinical tests. Commonly used tests for evaluating PH include electrocardiograms, pulmonary function tests, echocardiograms, right heart catheterization, computed tomography scan, measurement of pulmonary vascular resistance, and the 6 minute walk test. In some embodiments, the methods described herein reduce pulmonary vascular resistance (e.g., result in a reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance compared to pulmonary vascular resistance prior to treatment). In some embodiments, the methods described herein improve performance in the 6 minute walk test compared to performance in the 6 minute walk test prior to treatment.

In any of the methods described herein, a polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-71 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-71)) that further includes a C-terminal extension of one to six amino acids (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more amino acids) may be used as the therapeutic protein. In any of the methods described herein, a dimer (e.g., homodimer or heterodimer) formed by the interaction of two Fc domain monomers that are each fused to a polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) may be used as the therapeutic protein. In any of the methods described herein, a polypeptide including an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) fused to a moiety (e.g., an Fc domain monomer, a wild-type Fc domain, an Fc domain with amino acid substitutions (e.g., one more substitutions that reduce dimerization), an albumin-binding peptide, a fibronectin domain, or a human serum albumin) may be used as the therapeutic protein. Nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides described herein, or vectors containing said nucleic acids can also be administered according to any of the methods described herein. In any of the methods described herein, the polypeptide, nucleic acid, or vector can be administered as part of a pharmaceutical composition. Compositions that can be administered to a subject according to the methods described herein are provided in Table 4, below.

TABLE 4 Row Composition   1 A polypeptide comprising an extracellular activin receptor type IIa (ActRIIa) variant, the variant having a sequence of GAILGRSETQECLX₁X₂NANWX₃X₄X₅X₆TNQTGVEX₇CX₈GX₉X₁₀X₁₁X₁₂X₁₃X₁₄HCX₁₅ATWX₁₆NI SGSIEIVX₁₇X₁₈GCX₁₉X₂₀X₂₁DX₂₂NCYDRTDCVEX₂₃X₂₄X₂₅X₂₆PX₂₇VYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYF PEMEVTQPTS (SEQ ID NO: 1), wherein X₁ is F or Y; X₂ is F or Y; X₃ is E or A; X₄ is K or L; X₅ is D or E; X₆ is R or A; X₇ is P or R; X₈ is Y or E; X₉ is D or E; X₁₀ is K or Q; X₁₁ is D or A; X₁₂ is K or A; X₁₃ is R or A; X₁₄ is R or L; X₁₅ is F or Y; X₁₆ is K, R, or A; X₁₇ is K, A, Y, F, or I; X₁₈ is Q or K; X₁₉ is W or A; X₂₀ is L or A; X₂₁ is D, K, R, A, F, G, M, N, or I; X₂₂ is I, F, or A; X₂₃ is K or T; X₂₄ is K or E; X₂₅ is D or E; X₂₆ is S or N; and X₂₇ is E or Q, and wherein the variant has at least one amino acid substitution  relative to a wild-type extracellular ActRIIa having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 or an extracellular ActRIIa having any one of the sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 76-96.   2 The polypeptide of row 1, wherein the variant has a sequence of GAILGRSETQECLFX₂NANWX₃X₄X₅X₆TNQTGVEX₇CX₈GX₉KX₁₁X₁₂X₁₃X₁₄HCX₁₅ATWX₁₆NI SGSIEIVX₁₇X₁₈GCX₁₉X₂₀X₂₁DX₂₂NCYDRTDCVEX₂₃X₂₄X₂₅X₂₆PX₂₇VYFCCCEGNMCNEKFS YFPEMEVTQPTS (SEQ ID NO: 2),   3 The polypeptide of row 1 or 2, wherein the variant has a sequence of GAILGRSETQECLFX₂NANWEX₄X₅RTNQTGVEX₇CX₈GX₉KDKRX₁₄HCX₁₅ATWX₁₆NISGSIEI VKX₁₈GCWLDDX₂₂NCYDRTDCVEX₂₃X₂₄X₂₅X₂₆PX₂₇VYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS (SEQ ID NO: 3).   4 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-3, wherein the variant has a  sequence of GAILGRSETQECLFX₂NANWEX₄DRTNQTGVEX₇CX₈GX₉KDKRX₁₄HCX₁₅ATWX₁₆NISGSIEI VKX₁₈GCWLDDX₂₂NCYDRTDCVEX₂₃KX₂₅X₂₆PX₂₇VYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS (SEQ ID NO: 4).   5 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-4, wherein the variant has a  sequence of GAILGRSETQECLFX₂NANWEX₄DRTNQTGVEPCX₈GX₉KDKRX₁₄HCFATWKNISGSIEIVKX₁₈ GCWLDDINCYDRTDCVEX₂₃KX₂₅X₂₆PX₂₇VYFCCCEGNMCNEKFSYFPEMEVTQPTS (SEQ ID NO: 5).   6 The polypeptide of row 1, wherein X₁ is F.   7 The polypeptide of row 1, wherein X₁ is Y.   8 The polypeptide of row 1, 6, or 7 wherein X₁₀ is K.   9 The polypeptide of row 1, 6, or 7 wherein X₁₀ is Q.  10 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-9, wherein X₂ is F.  11 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-9, wherein X₂ is or Y.  12 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2, and 6-11, wherein X₃ is E.  13 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2, and 6-11, wherein X₃ is A.  14 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-13, wherein X₄ is K.  15 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-13, wherein X₄ is L.  16 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2, 3, and 6-15, wherein X₅ is D.  17 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2, 3, and 6-15, wherein X₅ is E.  18 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-17, wherein X₆ is R.  19 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-17, wherein X₆ is A.  20 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-4 and 6-19, wherein X₇ is P.  21 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-4 and 6-19, wherein X₇ is R.  22 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-21, wherein X₈ is Y.  23 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-21, wherein X₈ is E.  24 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-23, wherein X₉ is D.  25 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-23, wherein X₉ is E.  26 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-25, wherein X₁₁ is D.  27 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-25, wherein X₁₁ is A.  28 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-27, wherein X₁₂ is K.  29 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-27, wherein X₁₂ is A.  30 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-29, wherein X₁₃ is R.  31 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-29, wherein X₁₃ is A.  32 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-31, wherein X₁₄ is R.  33 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-31, wherein X₁₄ is L.  34 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-4 and 6-33, wherein X₁₅ is F.  35 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-4 and 6-33, wherein X₁₅ is Y.  36 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-4 and 6-35, wherein X₁₆ is K.  37 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-4 and 6-35, wherein X₁₆ is R.  38 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-4 and 6-35, wherein X₁₆ is A.  39 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-38, wherein X₁₇ is K.  40 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-38, wherein X₁₇ is A.  41 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-38, wherein X₁₇ is Y.  42 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-38, wherein X₁₇ is F.  43 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-38, wherein X₁₇ is I.  44 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-43, wherein X₁₈ is Q.  45 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-43, wherein X₁₈ is K.  46 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-45, wherein X₁₉ is W.  47 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-45, wherein X₁₉ is A.  48 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-47, wherein X₂₀ is L.  49 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-47, wherein X₂₀ is A.  50 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-49, wherein X₂₁ is D.  51 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-49, wherein X₂₁ is K.  52 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-49, wherein X₂₁ is R.  53 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-49, wherein X₂₁ is A.  54 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-49, wherein X₂₁ is F.  55 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-49, wherein X₂₁ is G.  56 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-49, wherein X₂₁ is M.  57 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-49, wherein X₂₁ is N.  58 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2 and 6-49, wherein X₂₁ is I.  59 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-4 and 6-58, wherein X₂₂ is I.  60 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-4 and 6-58, wherein X₂₂ is F.  61 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-4 and 6-58, wherein X₂₂ is A.  62 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-61, wherein X₂₃ is K.  63 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-61, wherein X₂₃ is T.  64 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2, 3, and 6-63, wherein X₂₄ is K.  65 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1, 2, 3, and 6-63, wherein X₂₄ is E.  66 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-65, wherein X₂₅ is D.  67 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-65, wherein X₂₅ is E.  68 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-67, wherein X₂₆ is S.  69 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-67, wherein X₂₆ is N.  70 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-69, wherein X₂₇ is E.  71 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-69, wherein X₂₇ is Q.  72 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-71, wherein X₂₃ is T, X₂₄ is E, X₂₅ is E, and X₂₆ is N.  73 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-71, wherein X₂₃ is T, X₂₄ is K, X₂₅ is E, and X₂₆ is N.  74 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-73, wherein X₁₇ is K.  75 The polypeptide of row 1, wherein the variant has the sequence of any  one of SEQ ID NOs: 6-72.  76 The polypeptide of row 75, wherein the variant has the sequence of  SEQ ID NO: 69.  77 The polypeptide of row 75, wherein the variant has the sequence of  SEQ ID NO: 58.  78 The polypeptide of row 75, wherein the variant has the sequence of  SEQ ID NO: 6.  79 The polypeptide of row 75, wherein the variant has the sequence of  SEQ ID NO: 38.  80 The polypeptide of row 75, wherein the variant has the sequence of  SEQ ID NO: 41.  81 The polypeptide of row 75, wherein the variant has the sequence of  SEQ ID NO: 44.  82 The polypeptide of row 75, wherein the variant has the sequence of  SEQ ID NO: 70.  83 The polypeptide of row 75, wherein the variant has the sequence of  SEQ ID NO: 71.  84 The polypeptide of row 75, wherein the variant has the sequence of  SEQ ID NO: 72.  85 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-84, wherein the amino acid at  position X₂₄ is replaced with the amino acid K.  86 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-85, wherein the amino acid at  position X₂₄ is replaced with the amino acid E.  87 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-86, further comprising a  C-terminal extension of one or more amino acids.  88 The polypeptide of row 87, wherein the C-terminal extension is NP.  89 The polypeptide of row 87, wherein the C-terminal extension is NPVTPK.  90 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-89, further comprising an Fc  domain monomer fused to the C-terminus of the polypeptide by way of  a linker.  91 The polypeptide of row 90, wherein the Fc domain monomer comprises  the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 97.  92 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-89, further comprising a wild- type Fc domain fused to the C-terminus of the polypeptide by way of  a linker.  93 The polypeptide of row 92, wherein the wild-type Fc domain comprises  the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 151.  94 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-89, further comprising an Fc  domain with amino acid substitutions fused to the C-terminus of the  polypeptide by way of a linker.  95 The polypeptide of row 94, wherein the Fc domain does not form a  dimer.  96 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-89, further comprising an  albumin-binding peptide fused to the C-terminus of the polypeptide  by way of a linker.  97 The polypeptide of row 96, wherein the albumin-binding peptide  comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 152.  98 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-89, further comprising a  fibronectin domain fused to the C-terminus of the polypeptide by  way of a linker.  99 The polypeptide of row 98, wherein the fibronectin domain comprises  the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 153. 100 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-89, further comprising a human  serum albumin fused to the C-terminus of the polypeptide by way of  a linker. 101 The polypeptide of row 100, wherein the human serum albumin  comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 154. 102 The polypeptide of row 90 or 91, wherein the polypeptide forms a  dimer. 103 The polypeptide of any one of rows 90-102, wherein the linker is  an amino acid spacer. 104 The polypeptide of row 103, wherein the amino acid spacer is GGG,  GGGA (SEQ ID NO: 98), GGGG (SEQ ID NO: 100), GGGAG (SEQ ID NO: 130),  GGGAGG (SEQ ID NO: 131), or GGGAGGG (SEQ ID NO: 132). 105 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-104, wherein the polypeptide  has a serum half-life of at least 7 days. 106 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-105, wherein the polypeptide  binds to human bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) with a K_(D) of  200 pM or higher. 107 The polypeptide of row 106, wherein the polypeptide binds to activin  and/or myostatin and has reduced or weak binding to human BMP9. 108 The polypeptide of row 106 or 107, wherein the polypeptide does not  substantially bind to human BMP9. 109 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-99, wherein the polypeptide  binds to human activin A with a K_(D) of 800 pM or less. 110 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-109, wherein the polypeptide  binds to human activin B with a K_(D) of 800 pM or less. 111 The polypeptide of any one of rows 1-110, wherein the polypeptide  binds to human GDF-11 with a K_(D) of 5 pM or higher. 112 A nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide of any one of  rows 1-111. 113 A vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of row 112 114 A host cell that expresses a polypeptide of any one of rows 1-111, wherein the host cell comprises a nucleic acid molecule of row 112 or a vector of row 113, wherein the nucleic acid molecule or vector  is expressed in the host cell. 115 A pharmaceutical composition comprising a polypeptide of any one of  rows 1-111, a nucleic acid molecule of row 112, or a vector of row  113, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or  excipients. 116 The pharmaceutical composition of row 115, wherein the polypeptide  is in a therapeutically effective amount.

EXAMPLES Example 1—Evaluation of ActRIIA Variants Binding Affinity by Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)

The Biacore 3000 was used to measure the kinetics of the interactions between the ActRIIA variants and the ligands Activin A, Activin B, growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11), and BMP-9. ActRIIA variants were made by transient expression in HEK293 cell and purified from the conditioned media using Protein-A Sepharose chromatography. The ActRIIA variants were immobilized on the chip (CM4 or CM5) with capture antibodies (anti-mouse from GEGE) in flow cells 2-4 to ensure proper orientation. Flow cell 1 was used as a reference cell to subtract any nonspecific binding and bulk effects. HBS-EP+buffer from GE Healthcare™ was used as a running buffer. Each ligand was run in a concentration series at 40 μl/min to avoid mass transport effects. The data was analyzed using Scrubber2 by BioLogic™ Software to calculate the K_(D) of each interaction (Table 5).

TABLE 5 Comparison of ActRIIA variant binding affinity (K_(D)) to various ligands Activin A (K_(D)) Activin B (K_(D)) GDF-11 (K_(D)) BMP-9 (K_(D)) Vehicle N/A N/A N/A N/A ActRIIA 1 nM 373 pM  81 pM  25 nM (SEQ ID NO: 73) ActRIIB  63 pM  23 pM 115 pM 278 pM (SEQ ID NO: 74) ActRIIA/b variant 542 pM 103 pM 186 pM   4 nM (SEQ ID NO: 69) ActRIIB/a variant No Binding No Binding No Binding No Binding (SEQ ID NO: 149) ActRIIA/bΔ9 variant 213 pM 12.3 pM  115 pM  10 nM (SEQ ID NO: 58) ActRIIA/bΔ9 min 310 pM  88 pM 114 pM  17 nM variant (SEQ ID NO: 6) ActRIIA/b+ variant 242 pM 282 pM No dissociation  26 nM (SEQ ID NO: 150) ActRIIA/bΔ9m2 170 pM 104 pM 222 pM 13-18 nM variant (SEQ ID NO: 38) ActRIIA/bΔ9m3  71 pM 72.5 pM  117 pM 1.2 nM variant (SEQ ID NO: 41) ActRIIA/bΔ9m4 375 pM 254 pM 394 pM 14-20 nM variant (SEQ ID NO: 44) ActRIIA/bmax1 variant 232 pM  97 pM 236 pM 5.6 nM (SEQ ID NO: 70) ActRIIA/bmax2 variant 135 pM  39 pM 113 pM   5 nM (SEQ ID NO: 71) ActRIIA/bmax3 variant  89 pM  43 pM 214 pM 3.3 nM (SEQ ID NO: 72)

Example 2—Effect of ActRIIA/B-Fc on Fibrosis in mdx Mice

The murine model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the mdx mouse, was used to analyze the effect of ActRIIA/B-Fc (SEQ ID NO: 69 fused to an Fc domain) on reducing the intramuscular fibrosis associated with muscular dystrophies. Briefly, 12-13-month-old female C57BI/10 and mdx mice were treated twice weekly with vehicle or 20 mg/kg of ActRIIA/B-Fc for 12 weeks. During necropsy, diaphragms and quadriceps were collected and immediately flash frozen in liquid nitrogen. Proteins were than extracted from the tissue and hydrolyzed before subjecting high performance liquid chromatography in a Hitachi L8900 Amino Acid Analyzer. Individual amino acid content was determined by comparison of chromatographic peaks against known standards. Hydroxyproline, an amino acid exclusive to collagen and a surrogate for total fibrosis content, was calculated as mg per gram of total protein extracted. As shown in FIG. 2, treatment with ActRIIA/B-Fc attenuated the development of fibrosis in aged mdx mice.

Example 3—Effect of ActRIIA/B-Fc on Red Cell Mass in Non-Human Primates

Two- to three-year old cynomolgus monkeys received biweekly treatment with either vehicle or 3, 10, or 50 mg/kg ActRIIA/B-Fc (SEQ ID NO: 69 fused to an Fc domain) over a three-month period. On day 92, blood was collected in a K2EDTA tube and assayed on an Advia hematology analyzer. As shown in FIG. 3, treatment with ActRIIA/B-Fc dose-dependently increased red cell mass in non-human primates. Hct—hematocrit, Hgb—hemoglobin, RBC—red blood cell number

Example 4—Effect of Extracellular ActRIIA Variants on PAH

In one experiment, PAH is induced in male rats using a single subcutaneous injection of monocrotaline (MCT, 40 mg/kg). To determine whether treatment with ActRIIA variants can prevent the development of PAH, rats are randomized into vehicle or ActRIIA variant treatment groups 24 hours after PAH induction, and treated twice per week with an ActRIIA variant (5 or 15 mg/kg) or vehicle for 21 days. Ventricular function and right ventricular (RV) remodeling are examined by electrocardiogram at day 14 by anesthetizing rats with 1.5% isoflurane and using a small animal high-frequency ultrasound probe to detect pulmonary flow acceleration, right ventricular function and hypertrophy, and left ventricular function while the animal is held in a supine position. Doppler across the mitral and tricuspid valves is used to determine if treatment with the ActRIIA variant induces any obvious regurgitation or lesions. On day 21, rats are anesthetized with pentobarbital, intubated through the trachea, and mechanically ventilated using a rodent ventilator. Hemodynamics are assessed using a fluid-filled catheter through the RV apex. Rats are perfused with PBS followed by 1% paraformaldehyde (PFA). To measure RV hypertrophy (RVH), the heart is removed and the RV free wall dissected from the left ventricle plus septum (LV+S) and weighted separately. Degree of RVH is determined from the ratio RV/(LV+S).

In a second experiment, PAH is induced in male rats using a single subcutaneous injection of monocrotaline (MCT, 40 mg/kg). To determine whether treatment with ActRIIA variants can slow or reduce the progression of PAH, rats are injected again with MCT on day 18 and randomized into vehicle or ActRIIA variant treatment groups. Rats are injected three times per week with an ActRIIA variant (15 mg/kg) or vehicle. Hemodynamics and RVH are examined on day 35 as described above.

Example 5—Treatment of Anemia by Administration of an Extracellular ActRIIA Variant

According to the methods disclosed herein, a physician of skill in the art can treat a subject, such as a human patient, having anemia (e.g., vitamin deficiency anemia or anemia associated with chronic kidney disease) so as to increase a parameter of red cell mass, such as red blood cell count, hemoglobin levels, or hematocrit. The method of treatment can include diagnosing or identifying a subject as a candidate for treatment based on a blood test measuring hematological parameters. To treat the subject, a physician of kill in the art can administer to the subject a composition containing an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)). The composition containing the extracellular ActRIIA variant may be administered to the subject, for example, by parenteral injection (e.g., intravenous injection) to treat anemia. The extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) is administered in a therapeutically effective amount, such as from 0.01 to 500 mg/kg (e.g., 0.01, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, or 500 mg/kg). In some embodiments, the extracellular ActRIIA variant is administered bimonthly, once a month, once every two weeks, or at least once a week or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 times a week or more). The extracellular ActRIIA variant is administered in an amount sufficient to increase hemoglobin levels, increase red blood cell counts, or increase hematocrit.

Following administration of the composition to a patient, a practitioner of skill in the art can monitor the patient's improvement in response to the therapy by a variety of methods. For example, a physician can monitor the patient's hemoglobin levels, red blood cell counts, or hematocrit by performing a blood test. A finding that the patient exhibits improved hemoglobin levels, red blood cell counts, or hematocrit following administration of the composition compared to test results prior to administration of the composition indicates that the patient is responding favorably to the treatment. Subsequent doses can be determined and administered as needed.

Example 6—Treatment of Fibrosis by Administration of an Extracellular ActRIIA Variant

According to the methods disclosed herein, a physician of skill in the art can treat a subject, such as a human patient, having fibrosis (e.g., pulmonary fibrosis or fibrosis associated with chronic kidney disease) so as to reduce the symptoms of fibrosis or slow or stop the progression of fibrosis. The method of treatment can include diagnosing or identifying a subject as a candidate for treatment based on clinical tests for fibrosis (e.g., imaging tests, such as X-ray or CT scan). To treat the subject, a physician of kill in the art can administer to the subject a composition containing an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)). The composition containing the extracellular ActRIIA variant may be administered to the subject, for example, by parenteral injection (e.g., intravenous injection) to treat fibrosis, or can be locally administered (e.g., injected) to the fibrotic tissue or organ. The extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) is administered in a therapeutically effective amount, such as from 0.01 to 500 mg/kg (e.g., 0.01, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, or 500 mg/kg). In some embodiments, the extracellular ActRIIA variant is administered bimonthly, once a month, once every two weeks, or at least once a week or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 times a week or more). The extracellular ActRIIA variant is administered in an amount sufficient to reduce the symptoms of fibrosis or slow or stop the progression of fibrosis.

Following administration of the composition to a patient, a practitioner of skill in the art can monitor the patient's improvement in response to the therapy by a variety of methods. For example, a physician can monitor the patient's fibrosis by performing imaging tests and can monitor the patient's symptoms using standard clinical tests. A finding that the patient's symptoms are reduced or that progression of the patient's fibrosis slows or stops following administration of the composition compared to test results prior to administration of the composition indicates that the patient is responding favorably to the treatment. Subsequent doses can be determined and administered as needed.

Example 7—Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension by Administration of an Extracellular ActRIIA Variant

According to the methods disclosed herein, a physician of skill in the art can treat a subject, such as a human patient, having pulmonary hypertension (PH, e.g., PAH) so as to reduce the symptoms of PH or slow or stop the progression of PH. The method of treatment can include diagnosing or identifying a subject as a candidate for treatment based on standard clinical tests for PH (e.g., echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, or right heart catheterization). To treat the subject, a physician of kill in the art can administer to the subject a composition containing an extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)). The composition containing the extracellular ActRIIA variant may be administered to the subject, for example, by parenteral injection (e.g., intravenous injection) to treat PH. The extracellular ActRIIA variant (e.g., an extracellular ActRIIA variant having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-72 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 6-72)) is administered in a therapeutically effective amount, such as from 0.01 to 500 mg/kg (e.g., 0.01, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, or 500 mg/kg). In some embodiments, the extracellular ActRIIA variant is administered bimonthly, once a month, once every two weeks, or at least once a week or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 times a week or more). The extracellular ActRIIA variant is administered in an amount sufficient to reduce the symptoms of PH or slow or stop the progression of PH.

Following administration of the composition to a patient, a practitioner of skill in the art can monitor the patient's improvement in response to the therapy by a variety of methods. For example, a physician can monitor the patient's symptoms using standard clinical tests and patient self reporting. A finding that the patient's symptoms are reduced the symptoms of PH or that progression of the patient's PH slows or stops following administration of the composition compared to test results prior to administration of the composition indicates that the patient is responding favorably to the treatment. Subsequent doses can be determined and administered as needed.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modifications and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth.

All publications, patents, and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Other embodiments are within the following claims. 

1. A method of treating a subject having or at risk of developing fibrosis, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition of Table
 4. 2. A method of decreasing or preventing fibrosis in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition of Table
 4. 3. A method of slowing, inhibiting, or reversing the progression of fibrosis in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition of Table
 4. 4. A method of attenuating the development of fibrosis, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide of a composition of Table
 4. 5. A method of reversing fibrosis, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide of a composition of Table
 4. 6. A method of affecting myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 signaling in a subject having or at risk of developing fibrosis, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition of Table
 4. 7. The method of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the fibrosis is chemotherapeutic drug-induced fibrosis, radiation-induced fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, hepatic fibrosis, renal fibrosis, corneal fibrosis, heart fibrosis, bone marrow fibrosis, mediastinal fibrosis, retroperitoneal fibrosis, osteoarticular fibrosis, arthrofibrosis, tissue fibrosis, a tumor stroma, a desmoplastic tumor, a surgical adhesion, a hypertrophic scar, or a keloid.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the tissue fibrosis is fibrosis affecting a tissue selected from the group consisting of muscle tissue, skin epidermis, skin dermis, tendon, cartilage, pancreatic tissue, uterine tissue, neural tissue, testis, ovary, adrenal gland, artery, vein, colon, small intestine, large intestine, biliary tract, and gut.
 9. The method of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the fibrosis is associated with wounds, burns, hepatitis B or C infection, fatty liver disease, Schistosoma infection, kidney disease, chronic kidney disease, heart disease, macular degeneration, retinal or vitreal retinopathy, Crohn's disease, systemic or local scleroderma, atherosclerosis, or restenosis.
 10. The method of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the method improves the function of a fibrotic tissue or organ.
 11. A method of increasing red blood cell levels in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition of Table
 4. 12. A method of promoting or increasing red blood cell formation in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition of Table
 4. 13. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the subject has or is at risk of developing anemia or blood loss.
 14. A method of affecting myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 signaling in a subject having or at risk of developing a disease or condition involving low red blood cell levels, low hematocrit, or low hemoglobin levels, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition of Table
 4. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the disease or condition is anemia or blood loss.
 16. The method of claim 13 or 15, wherein the anemia or blood loss is associated with cancer, cancer treatment, chronic kidney disease, acute renal disease or failure, chronic renal disease or failure, myelodysplastic syndrome, thalassemia, nutritional deficits, adverse reaction to medication, an inflammatory or autoimmune disease, splenomegaly, porphyria, vasculitis, hemolysis, bone marrow defects, bone marrow transplantation, acute liver disease, chronic liver disease, diabetes, acute bleeding, chronic bleeding, infection, hemoglobinopathy, drug use, alcohol abuse, Churg-Strauss syndrome, Felty syndrome, graft versus host disease, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, osteomyelofibrosis, pancytopenia, pure red-cell aplasia, purpura Schoenlein-Henoch, Shwachman syndrome, advanced age, contraindication to transfusion, surgery, trauma, a wound, an ulcer, urinary tract bleeding, digestive tract bleeding, frequent blood donation, or heavy menstrual bleeding.
 17. The method of claim 13, 15, or 16, wherein the anemia is aplastic anemia, iron deficiency anemia, vitamin deficiency anemia, anemia of chronic disease, anemia associated with bone marrow disease, hemolytic anemia, sickle cell anemia, microcytic anemia, hypochromic anemia, sideroblastic anemia, Diamond Blackfan anemia, Fanconi's anemia, or refractory anemia with excess of blasts.
 18. A method of treating a subject having or at risk of developing anemia, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition of Table
 4. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the anemia is associated with cancer, cancer treatment, chronic kidney disease, acute renal disease or failure, chronic renal disease or failure, myelodysplastic syndrome, thalassemia, nutritional deficits, adverse reaction to medication, an inflammatory or autoimmune disease, splenomegaly, porphyria, vasculitis, hemolysis, bone marrow defects, bone marrow transplantation, acute liver disease, chronic liver disease, diabetes, acute bleeding, chronic bleeding, infection, hemoglobinopathy, drug use, alcohol abuse, advanced age, Churg-Strauss syndrome, Felty syndrome, graft versus host disease, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, osteomyelofibrosis, pancytopenia, pure red-cell aplasia, purpura Schoenlein-Henoch, Shwachman syndrome, contraindication to transfusion, surgery, trauma, a wound, an ulcer, urinary tract bleeding, digestive tract bleeding, frequent blood donation, or heavy menstrual bleeding.
 20. The method of claim 18 or 19, wherein the anemia is aplastic anemia, iron deficiency anemia, vitamin deficiency anemia, anemia of chronic disease, anemia associated with bone marrow disease, hemolytic anemia, sickle cell anemia, microcytic anemia, hypochromic anemia, sideroblastic anemia, Diamond Blackfan anemia, Fanconi's anemia, or refractory anemia with excess of blasts.
 21. The method of any one of claims 11-20, wherein the subject does not respond well to treatment with erythropoietin (EPO) or is susceptible to the adverse effects of EPO.
 22. The method of any one of claims 11-21, wherein the method increases red blood cell formation, red blood cell count, hematocrit, or hemoglobin levels.
 23. The method of any one of claims 11-22, wherein the method reduces the subject's need for a blood transfusion.
 24. A method of preventing pulmonary hypertension (PH) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition of Table
 4. 25. A method of slowing or inhibiting the progression of PH in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition of Table
 4. 26. A method of treating a subject having or at risk of developing PH, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition of Table
 4. 27. A method of affecting myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 signaling in a subject having or at risk of developing PH, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition of Table
 4. 28. The method of any one of claims 24-27, wherein the PH is pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the PAH is idiopathic PAH.
 30. The method of claim 28, wherein the PAH is heritable PAH.
 31. The method of claim 28, wherein the PAH is associated with HIV infection, schistosomiasis, cirrhosis of the liver, a congenital heart abnormality, portal hypertension, pulmonary veno-occlusive disease, pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis, a connective tissue disorder, an autoimmune disorder, or drug use or abuse.
 32. The method of any one of claims 24-27, wherein the PH is venous PH.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the venous PH is associated with left ventricular systolic dysfunction, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, valvular heart disease, congenital cardiomyopathy, or congenital or acquired pulmonary venous stenosis.
 34. The method of any one of claims 24-27, wherein the PH is hypoxic PH.
 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the hypoxic PH is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease, sleep-disordered breathing, pulmonary fibrosis, an alveolar hypoventilation disorder, chronic exposure to high altitude, or a developmental abnormality.
 36. The method of any one of claims 24-27, wherein the PH is thromboembolic PH.
 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the thromboembolic PH is associated with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary emboli, angiosarcoma, arteritis, congenital pulmonary artery stenosis, or parasitic infection.
 38. The method of any one of claims 24-27, wherein the PH is miscellaneous PH.
 39. The method of claim 38, wherein the miscellaneous PH is associated with a hematologic disease, a systemic disease, a metabolic disorder, pulmonary tumoral thrombotic microangiopathy, fibrosing mediastinitis, chronic kidney failure, or segmental pulmonary hypertension.
 40. The method of any one of claims 24-39, wherein the method reduces the frequency or severity of one or more symptoms of PH.
 41. The method of any one of claims 24-40, wherein the method reduces pulmonary vascular remodeling or vascular remodeling in the heart of a subject.
 42. The method of any one of claims 24-41, wherein the method reduces right ventricular hypertrophy.
 43. The method of any one of claims 24-42, wherein the method reduces pulmonary vascular resistance.
 44. The method of any one of claims 24-43, wherein the method improves performance in the 6 minute walk test.
 45. The method of any one of claims 1-44, wherein the method reduces or inhibits the binding of activin and/or myostatin to their endogenous receptors.
 46. The method of any one of claims 1-10 and 45, wherein the composition is administered in an amount sufficient to reduce fibrosis, prevent fibrosis, reduce the risk of developing fibrosis, delay or attenuate the development of fibrosis, slow, inhibit, or reverse the progression of fibrosis, reverse fibrosis, treat fibrosis, reduce one or more symptom of fibrosis, improve the function of a fibrotic tissue or organ, affect myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 signaling in the subject, or reduce or inhibit the binding of activin and/or myostatin to their endogenous receptors.
 47. The method of any one of claims 11-23 and 45, wherein the composition is administered in an amount sufficient to increase red blood cell levels, increase hemoglobin levels, increase red blood cell formation, increase red blood cell count, increase hematocrit, reduce the need for a blood transfusion, treat anemia, affect myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 signaling in the subject, or reduce or inhibit the binding of activin and/or myostatin to their endogenous receptors.
 48. The method of any one of claims 24-45, wherein the composition is administered in an amount sufficient to prevent PH, reduce the risk of developing PH, reduce the severity or frequency of one or more symptoms of PH, delay the development of PH, slow or inhibit the progression of PH, treat PH, reduce pulmonary vascular remodeling, reduce vascular remodeling in the heart, reduce right ventricular hypertrophy, reduce pulmonary vascular resistance, improve performance in the 6 minute walk test, affect myostatin, activin, and/or BMP9 signaling in the subject, or reduce or inhibit the binding of activin and/or myostatin to their endogenous receptors.
 49. The method of any one of claims 1-48, wherein the method does not cause a vascular complication in the subject.
 50. The method of claim 49, wherein the method does not increase vascular permeability or leakage. 